Iranian national, 3 others arrested for trafficking

CEBU, Philippines —  An Iranian national and three other cohorts were arrested by the members of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 for human trafficking while seven females were rescued in an entrapment operation in Mandaue City.

CIDG-7 chief, Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, said the Iranian national was arrested at around 10:05 p.m. on September 19, 2021 during an entrapment operation inside a mall.

During the operation, seven women believed to be victims of trafficking were also rescued.

“Ang kalakaran na ginagawa nila ay ini-invite nila itong mga babae na mayrong isang party and then yun nga kung kunwari pupunta ka doon, merong ibibigay na P1,000 na i-offer,” said Dalogdog.

He added, the other “customers” could even pay more with P6,000 should they would “use” the women for prostitution.

Dalogdog said the suspects would invite these women during parties through the booking method.

They would then meet the women up in one particular place for the final selection to present them to the clients.

“Yung sa hindi na mapipili, meron din silang tinatawag na damage fee,” said Dalogdog.

Over this, Dalogdog said that the case will also falls under the sex exploitation. He, however, added that the victims were aware of the situation.

“Parang ito na rin yung ginagawa nilang pang source ng kabuhayan ng dahil na rin seguro sa sitwasyon ngayon na napakahirap maghanap ng trabaho,” he added.

The exploitation has been going on for a long now. The arrested Iranian national arrived in the country in 2019 and worked as a purchaser at a surplus company.

Police said the foreigner was forced to do such illegal activity as he desperate to earn money for his plane ticket to go back to Iran. This is also because his job earns less due to the pandemic.

This also triggers him to sideline as a pimp.

The suspects, whom the police refused to name as follow-up investigation is ongoing, have been slapped with the charges of human trafficking. — GMR (FREEMAN)