NBI arrests foreigner in Davao City for child trafficking

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation-Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO) have arrested a foreigner for child trafficking, the agency announced Tuesday.

In a statement, the NBI said it arrested an American national in an entrapment operation in Davao City on June 27 for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, in relation to the Child Abuse Law.

He was presented for inquest proceedings on June 28.

The NBI also rescued four victims, three of whom were minors.

This stemmed from a tip that the national was seen around his hotel with female minors and was taking pictures of them in skimpy outfits while in the pool area.

NBI undercover agents were able to obtain information from one of the victims.

Further investigation showed that one of the victims met the foreigner through a dating application in March. The foreigner then decided to fly to the Philippines and told the victim that he would meet her family.

Meanwhile, the NBI said that the three minors underwent psycho-social counseling with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI.

They were turned over to the DSWD Home for Girls. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KG, GMA Integrated News