NBI rescues 70 minors, nabs 7 pimps

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) rescued 70 minors and arrested seven alleged pimps, including a Japanese national during a raid at a resort in Laguna over the weekend.

NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said Manila City Assistant Prosecutor Lolita Rodas recommended the filing of charges of qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense against the suspects.

Wycoco presented to the media at the NBI headquarters yesterday the seven arrested suspects identified as Noritaka Ota, 67, alias Tony; Elizabeth Ulanday, 44; Butch Monucon, 44; Annaliza dela Cruz, 34; Abigail Capili, 36; May Ann delos Santos, 27; and Robert de Joya, 53.

The raid was conducted by NBI-International Police (Interpol) agents at a resort in Los Baños, Laguna.

NBI-Interpol chief Ricardo Diaz said the operation stemmed from the complaints of Dutch national Christian Kerremans, of the SOS Child Care Foundation, that the group was engaged in child prostitution and child pornography. The group was reportedly operating in Manila and Cavite.

Apparently, the suspects approached Kerremans thinking that since he is a foreigner he may be interested in children. The suspects even asked Kerremans to join them for the shooting of a pornographic video by the JAXY child-porn production.

Without the suspects’ knowledge, Kerremans coordinated with NBI agents who instructed him to make a deal with the suspects for a porno movie.

Kerremans and an undercover agent of the NBI joined some photo sessions organized by the group, during which De los Santos assured them that they can supply 40 children ages seven to 16 years old for a pornographic film.

The suspects informed Kerremans and the undercover agent that shooting for the sexually-oriented video was set last Saturday, where they would allegedly bring kids for "demo."

With the information, Interpol agents Arnel Dalumpines, Jing Jalagat, Lemuel Loyala, Emeterio Armada IV, Jomar Villanueva and a few others scheduled the operation, resulting in the rescue of the victims and the arrest of the suspects.

Wycoco said the rescued victims were taken to Haven, a rehabilitation center put by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Congressional Spouse Foundation.