NBI busts Facebook sex ring

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested two persons and rescued two women in an operation to shut down an alleged prostitution syndicate using Facebook to advertise its services.

In a report to NBI Technical Intelligence Division chief Palmer Mallari, investigators said Ludivico Bandojo, alias Jhanne David, 23; and Kenny Joy Ileto, 25, have been charged with violating Republic Act 9208, the anti-human trafficking law, and are being detained at the NBI headquarters in Manila.

Investigators said ABS-CBN told them last Oct. 31 that the suspects’ group allegedly “posted pictures of models whose sexual services and bed expertise were advertised to the prospective clients” under a Facebook group account called “Under One Roof.”

Except for the suspects’ account, most of these group accounts of the same name were engaged in social activities, the NBI said.

Investigators alleged that “a certain Jhanne David, administrator of the Facebook account, gave a detailed account on how to meet the girls.” They said David’s cell phone number was also listed in the Facebook account.

On Nov. 8, NBI agents, who posed as clients, met with the two suspects at a hotel in Manila. The suspects allegedly told them about the sexual services rendered by the two women, ages 17 and 20.

The agents rescued the women and arrested the suspects when they received P2,000 in marked money. The women were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The NBI also sent a letter to Facebook in order to track down the source of the group account and other people who may be involved.