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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Woman arrested for 'sex trafficking'; 8 victims rescued -- NBI

Woman arrested for 'sex trafficking'; 8 victims rescued -- NBI

Published May 23, 2025 01:00 pm

A woman was arrested while eight females, including three teen-aged girls, were rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from a bar allegedly engaged in sex trafficking in Zambales.

The NBI identified the arrested woman as Edith D. Ejercito who was apprehended by the NBI Olongapo District Office (NBI-OLDO) during an entrapment operation conducted last May 14 at the Pussycat Bar located in San Antonio town.

It said that Ejercito “was caught in flagrante delicto (in the act) of receiving the marked money of P4,000 as payment for the sexual services of the two trafficked victims.”

“The entrapment operation also resulted to the rescue of eight victims, including three minors,” it also said.

The NBI-OLDO conducted the entrapment operation after receiving information that “the Subject is engaged in sexual trafficking involving female victims, some of whom are minors.”

“The Subject offers female victims including minors for sexual exploitation in exchange for a fee of P2,000,” the NBI said as it cited the information received from a tipster.

Ejercito, who is now detained at the Zambales Provincial Jail, has been charged before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Iba, Zambales for violation of Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended, it said.

“The five victims were turned over by the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) social workers to the Municipal Social Welfare Development (MSWD) of San Antonio Zambales before being released to their families, while the three minor victims were endorsed to a DSWD partner non-government association (NGO) for temporary residential care,” it added.

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