Hunt on for Taiwanese in sex trade racket

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have launched a manhunt for a Taiwanese tagged as the leader of a sex trade syndicate preying on young girls for his fellow Taiwanese nationals in the country.

Superintendent Honorio Agnila, chief of the CIDG’s anti-fraud and commercial crimes division, said they have coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to neutralize the group allegedly headed by Fong Kwan Kong, alias Rex Fong.

Fong’s involvement in the sex trade scheme was revealed by three girls, all aged 17, who were rescued during a raid conducted by the CIDG in Calamba City, Laguna last Friday.

The raiders also arrested Taiwanese nationals Chang Chun-Chieh alias Michael Yang, and Chang Kun Yen.

The victims alleged that Fong acts as the financier of the syndicate while Yang is the courier. Chang, on the other hand, was their client.

Agnila said the teenagers alleged that Fong would pay them from P1,500 to P2,500 in exchange for sex with his Taiwanese clients.

The victims were rescued after the uncle of one of the girls sought police help.

A CIDG team headed by Chief Inspector Bienvenido Reydado rescued the three teenagers at Block 2, Lot 1518, Calle Veritas in Halang Villa Remedios Subdivision in Calamba City.

Agnila said that suspect Yang called up Fong, who offered the arresting policemen a P4-million bribe in exchange for the release of the teenagers and the arrested Taiwanese nationals.

Aside from Fong’s bribe offer, a lawmaker also tried to intervene in the case but he too, was ignored by the CIDG raiders.

Agnila said charges of human trafficking are now being readied against Fong, Chang and Yang before the Department of Justice.