Sex den operator nabbed, 6 minors rescued in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested a suspected owner of a prostitution den and rescued six minors during simultaneous operations in Pasay City, the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Monday.

CIDG operatives nabbed Jerrie Rodriguez Arraz in a hotel in Pasay City while other lawmen raided his house in Creekside Pilot Area 3, Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City.

During the Quezon City raid, the operatives rescued six minors and seized several computer sets, cellular phones, birth certificates, transaction receipts, sex toys, birth control pills, pornographic photos, condoms and lubricants.

The operations stemmed from a complaint filed by one of Arraz' victims last October.

CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong said Arraz recruited and promised the victim a job as a house helper.

A week after her arrival in Manila, she was allegedly raped by Arraz and then sold to foreigners. The victim was also forced to have sex with the suspect while a foreigner watches the act online, Magalong said.

Magalong said that during the investigation, operatives found out that there were other victims, mostly minors.

The rescued victims are now under the custody of the CIDG.

Arraz is now detained at the CIDG Major Crimes Investigation Unit, while criminal cases for rape, child abuse and human trafficking are being prepared against him.