The National Bureau of Investigation – Cebu District Office (NBI-CebDO) arrested yesterday two Korean nationals, who were allegedly running a pornography livestream in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.
NBI-CebDO agent-in-charge Arnel Pura told DAILY TRIBUNE that NBI operatives conducted an entrapment operation to apprehend the suspects last Sunday, based on information they received from a reliable source regarding the alleged illegal activity.
Arrested were Tae Young Han, 51, and Yunyeong Kim, 28, who arrived in Cebu last 17 September.
The NBI operatives caught the two in the act during their livestream or broadcast of the video. The NBI rescued a 19-year-old Filipina.
Recovered during the operation were computers, smartphones, and sex toys allegedly used by the suspects during their live sex shows.
Pura said Kim would engage in sexual activities with their Filipina victims while Han would record it for livestreaming on an exclusive Korean application with paid subscriptions, called Popkon TV.
He said they are still in the process of identifying whether the two Koreans are part of a larger group involved in the illegal business.
The sexual activity took place inside a rented condominium unit in Mactan.
Pura added that the ages of the victims range from legal to minor.
NBI Senior Agent Nino Rodriquez revealed that the teenage victim confessed to accepting the suspects' offer as she desperately needed money but was unaware that the suspects had recorded it.
He said victims are paid P5,000 after each show.
The 19-year-old Filipina is currently under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and is expected to submit a statement on the incident.
The two Koreans will be charged with Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Sections 4 and 6 of Republic Act No. 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.