Escaped teen fingers Ecija human traffickers

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija — An escaped 12-year-old girl was the key to unraveling human trafficking cases in this province.

Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) Provincial Director Police Col. Ferdinand Germino said the girl from Barangay San Vicente, Gapan City went to the City Police Station on12 March to report that she was a victim of human trafficking.

Undeterred by the circumstances she faced, the girl recounted the horrendous situation that she and other girls faced.

This prompted the Gapan City Police Station, Cabiao Police Station, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of Gapan, and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Cabiao to immediately launch a rescue operation in the town of Cabiao the following day.

The operation was launched at a rented apartment in Barangay Palasinan, leading to the rescue of four other girls aged 12, 13 and 17.

“We successfully arrested several suspects including 27-year-old Candy, Yan, 18-year-old Ashley, and two minors aged 15 and 16. Another suspect, 19-year-old Chloe, managed to evade the arrest and remains at large,” he said.

Police investigation revealed that the victims were being exploited and offered to customers online, with the arrested suspects facilitating the transactions.

The suspects are currently in the custody of Gapan City Police Station, while the apprehended minors were turned over to the CSWDO for appropriate intervention. The suspects will be charged for violating RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Director Germino condemned the crime, citing, “There is no place for such an abominable act in the province. We will ensure that the offenders face the full extent of the law as we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting minors and seeking justice for the victims. I urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help us eradicate these heinous crimes.”

NEPPO continues to intensify its efforts against human trafficking in line with the directives of Police Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo, Regional Director, PRO 3, to protect the public from illegal activities in the region.