Pimp falls in entrapment operation

CEBU, Philippines – A 19-year-old man is facing charges for human trafficking in court after he was caught in the act of peddling the services of four women.

The accused was arrested in an entrapment operation at a coffee shop along F. Ramos Street on August 31, 2010. The supposed transaction was arranged by elements of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RATTF) under the Regional Intelligence Division.

Prosecutor Noel Cellona recommended no bail for the accused. The accused is a resident of Toledo City.

The law does not allow the name(s) of the accused in human trafficking cases mentioned in news reports to protect the identity of the victims. 

In a joint affidavit, PO2 Rodrigo Inoc, PO2 Lyman Arsua, PO1 Nef M. Nemenzo and PO1 Ariel Llanes said it was early in August when they received information about activities of the accused from a concerned citizen, as well as from the International Justice Commission, a non-government organization involved in efforts to curb the trafficking of women and children.

On August 27, 2010, Nemenzo and a concerned citizen conducted a surveillance operation at Don Andres Soriano in Toledo City where the accused reportedly did his business.

When they arrived at a waiting shed at the area, the accused reportedly approached them and asked if they wanted the company of women. When Nemenzo asked where they could look at the women, the accused reportedly said he could bring them with him to where the women were.

While in the vehicle, the accused reportedly said that he charges P1,000 if the service is within Toledo City and P2,000 if outside the city. 

Later, upon meeting the girls later, Nemenzo invited the accused and the women to dinner and videoke during which he gave the accused a tip and his cellphone num-ber.

On August 31, the accused phoned Nemenzo and asked where he could bring the women. Nemenzo said he was in Cebu City and a deal was struck, prompting Ne-menzo to immediately hatch an entrapment operation. 

At around 5 pm, the accused called Nemenzo for the second time and set the meeting at a coffee shop along F. Ramos Street.

The two parties subsequently met at the coffee shop a few minutes later with the accused assuring Nemenzo that his girls were "good."

Moments after, they proceeded to a van rented by the Nemenzo's team and inside placed the accused under arrest. The women, meanwhile, were informed that they were being rescued and were to be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (FREEMAN)