Two women who are allegedly engaged in sex trafficking in social media have been arrested in Laguna, the National Bureau of Investigation NBI) said on Friday, May 17.
The NBI identified them as Maria Jorgia Y. Gadiano and Princess Anne Custodio who were arrested last May 10 during an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the NBI’s Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) at a resort in Binan City.
“The operation also resulted in the rescue of seven victims, six of whom were found to be minors based on the dental examination performed by the NBI-Odontology Division,” it said.
After their arrest, Gadiano and Custodio were charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila with violations of Section 4(a) of Republic Act RA) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended.
“The operation stemmed from a report provided by THE EXODUS ROAD (Exodus) that a Facebook account “Jaja” (later identified as Subject Gadiano) was engaged in human trafficking,” the NBI said.
It said that "the target Facebook account offered minor and adult females for sexual services in exchange for a fee amounting to P4,500.00 each."
Based on the information, the NBI said its HTRAD arranged an entrapment operation by asking Gadiano to bring the girls to a stag party in Laguna for the sexual services she offered online.