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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Man arrested for trafficking women in Cebu City

Man arrested for trafficking women in Cebu City

Published May 13, 2026 09:02 pm
A GROUP of women cover their faces at the NBI-7 office after they were rescued from prostitution. (NBI-7)
A GROUP of women cover their faces at the NBI-7 office after they were rescued from prostitution. (NBI-7)
CEBU CITY – Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation- Central Visayas (NBI-7) arrested a man accused of trafficking women for prostitution.
Jollie Jainar Fundador, alias Joel, was arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City on Monday, May 11.
NBI-7 said the suspect was caught in the act of facilitating the prostitution of four women, including a three-month pregnant woman.
The suspect was handcuffed shortly after he received marked money from NBI-7 agents at the intersection of M.P. Yap and Juana Osmeña Streets.
The illegal activity was reported to the NBI-7 by social workers and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said agent Maria Contessa Lastimosa, special investigator at NBI-7.
The rescued women aged 23 to 30 were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7).
A case for violating the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2012 was filed against the suspect.
Lastimosa said the victims were forced to engage in prostitution for years due to poverty.
“Most of the victims had to support not only their families but also their extended families as well,” said Lastimosa in a press briefing on Wednesday, May 13.
According to information, patrons were not only locals and foreigners but also government officials. Each woman was paid at least P1,500 for their services.
While prostitution is illegal in the country, Fundador was charged for violating anti-trafficking laws for facilitating the trade and exposing them to further exploitation.
“Once somebody facilitates for their prostitution or human exploitation, then that becomes human trafficking,” Lastimosa said.
The NBI-7 said rescued women were also victims of exploitation as they claimed to have been maltreated and physically abused by some clients.
Interviewed by reporters, Fundador expressed remorse, admitting that he violated the law.
The suspect said he and his victims were forced to engage in the illegal act due to poverty.
“They asked me to help them find customers,” said Fundador, recalling his encounters with the women on Juana Osmeña St.
The suspect, however denied trafficking children and underaged girls.
If found guilty, the suspect may face life imprisonment and fines of up to P5 million.

Related Tags

Cebu City Human trafficking NBI Prostitution
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