Human trafficking suspect nabbed at NAIA

Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested a human trafficker at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said Janet Java Onida, 29, was arrested through the joint efforts of the BI and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The suspect arrived from Singapore via a Philippine Airlines flight yesterday afternoon.

Libanan said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos tipped them off about Onida’s arrival.

Onida was arrested based on a complaint filed by a 20-year-old woman who claimed Onida recruited her to work as a waitress abroad two years ago.

According to the victim, she left for Singapore in April 2006, only to be sold as a prostitute when she arrived. She said she was raped several times by foreigners but was able to escape and return to the Philippines.

She immediately filed a complaint with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court upon her arrival.

Onida faces charges of human trafficking with no bail recommended, along with two others named Anthony Java and Mary Ann de Guzman, Libanan said. – Rudy Santos