NBI-OTCD Cracks Down on Human Trafficking Operation in Pasay City

NBI-OTCD Cracks Down on Human Trafficking Operation in Pasay City

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation's Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-OTCD) have apprehended Jerwin Cantuba Laila, a key suspect in a prostitution racket involving foreign nationals in Pasay City. The operation, which was conducted in accordance with the directive from NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), aimed to intensify efforts against human trafficking in the country.

The NBI-OTCD's action was initiated based on a tip-off received about the alleged operation of a prostitution racket by foreign nationals at a specific hotel in Malibay, Pasay City. The informant revealed that the operators were offering Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean women to Chinese nationals for sexual services through online booking platforms. Following this intelligence, NBI-OTCD agents conducted extensive surveillance operations and, using a confidential informant, secured two bookings through a Telegram account.

On August 2, 2025, the NBI-OTCD executed an entrapment operation at the designated pick-up location. Two undercover Chinese informants posed as clients and were collected by a man in a grey vehicle. After the informants entered the hotel, NBI-OTCD agents followed the grey car and witnessed it pick up three female foreign nationals. Once the illicit transaction was concluded, agents swiftly apprehended the driver of the grey car, later identified as Laila.

During the operation, agents also rescued a Vietnamese national and two Chinese nationals. The rescued individuals provided sworn statements indicating that a person known as Tao Yuan was responsible for offering them for sexual services online while Laila regularly transported them to clients. The victims' testimonies provided crucial evidence against Laila and Tao Yuan, who were charged with violating Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended by R.A. No. 10364 and further revised by R.A. No. 11862.

On August 4, 2025, Laila was presented for inquest proceedings at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Pasay City for the crimes mentioned above. Additionally, an individual identified by the alias Tao Yuan was also charged with violations of R.A. No. 9208, as amended by R.A. No. 10364 and R.A. No. 11862.

NBI Director Santiago praised the NBI-OTCD agents for their dedication and relentless efforts that led to the successful arrest of Laila and the dismantling of the human trafficking operation. "This achievement is a testament to the agency's commitment to combatting human trafficking and protecting the rights of victims," Director Santiago emphasized. "We will continue to work tirelessly to track down and prosecute individuals involved in this heinous crime."

The NBI-OTCD's operation marks a significant milestone in the fight against human trafficking in the Philippines, and serves as a warning to those involved in this illegal activity that they will be held accountable for their crimes.