Philippines arrests nearly 600 people in anti-human trafficking operation

Philippine police have busted a prostitution and online fraud ring in Manila, arresting nearly 600 people to identify human trafficking victims.

The Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced on October 28 that a raid on a suspected prostitution and online scam facility in Metro Manila the night before had found 731 Filipino and foreign nationals there. Among them were Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese nationals.

Justice Minister Crispin Remulla said investigators were holding 598 people for questioning, identifying victims and suspects.

Philippine officials also asked the Chinese embassy in Manila to help identify nine individuals suspected of running the illegal facility, disguised as an online gaming company.

"This is a very sophisticated and profitable network, making money by trafficking people," Mr. Remulla described.

Philippine armed police busted a human trafficking ring with about 2,700 victims in Las Pinas in June. Photo: ABS-CBN

Police also discovered massage rooms, karaoke rooms, and hotels inside the facility. Investigators noted that there were advertisements for prostitution and related material in these rooms. On the fifth floor, police discovered at least nine cash vaults.

Investigators are seeking permission to examine the seized computers, which are suspected to be used for online fraud and cryptocurrency processing. A common tactic of criminal organizations is to force victims of human trafficking to become accomplices, tricking or threatening their “prey” into investing in cryptocurrency.

PAOCC said it found at least two Chinese nationals with signs of torture on their bodies. They said they were held against their will and forced to work for about 15 hours a day. One said he was kidnapped to an online gambling company in the Philippines, where he was sold for 500,000 pesos (more than $8,700).

In a June operation, Philippine police discovered more than 2,700 people working in several fraudulent establishments in Manila, including many victims of human trafficking.

Thanh Danh (According to AFP, Inquirer )

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