2 CHINESE, 3 FILIPINOS ARRESTED

TEN human trafficking victims, nine of whom are minors, were rescued in an operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Sual town on May 1, and arrested two Chinese nationals and three Filipinos.

Those apprehended and presented for inquest proceedings were Chinese nationals Zhonggang Qui and Wenwen Qui, and locals Angielyn V. Ramirez, Marichelle Ambrosio, and Jay Amor.

Authorities launched the operation based on intelligence reports alleging that a Chinese national named Hou Shilian was operating in a compound in Barangay Baquioen, where underage workers were being brought in and undocumented foreign nationals were being sheltered.

The compound was raided by agents from the NBI-Cybercrime Division and NBI-Special Task Force, accompanied by members of the NBI Alaminos District Office and local social welfare representatives.

The rescued workers, some of whom were recruited in Northern Samar, were living and working under exploitative conditions, engaged in hazardous tasks, and working in illegal offshore cages at the Lingayen Gulf owned and controlled by the Chinese nationals.

Employees at the compound reportedly admitted to acting under the direction of the two arrested Chinese nationals, who allegedly managed the operation and the recruitment of minors.

Authorities also found that two of the rescued minors were pregnant raising potential grounds for prosecution under statutory rape laws.

The five suspects are facing charges, including Qualified Trafficking under R.A. No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended and are being investigated for violations of R.A. No. 9231 (Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor), R.A. No. 8550 (The Fisheries Code of the Philippines), and R.A. No. 12022 (Economic Sabotage). (Ahikam Pasion)

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