Authorities have arrested an American national for alleged child trafficking and rescued four women, including three minors, in Davao City.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-11) launched the operation against the 34-year-old suspect at a hotel in Barangay Ma-a.

The operation stemmed from the report received by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking against the foreigner.

During the operation, three 17-year-old girls and an 18-year-old woman were rescued.

The suspect refused to give a statement when asked for comment.

“With the DSWD, (we) interviewed the minors, sabi ng isang menor de edad, boyfriend niya ito, allegedly, ang foreigner, pinapunta sila sa Davao para mag-meet up. One week na sila sa Davao, itong mga babae came from Davao de Oro,” NBI-11 Director, Atty. Arcelito Albao, said.

NBI-11 said the suspect has been staying at the hotel since June 20, 2024.

“We supposed na siguro, itong mga apat na babae ay ginamit ng foreigner. Di lang isa, siguro silang apat, kasi ang daming condom, pati sa basurahan. Two days pa lang sila sa hotel kung saan nahuli ang foreigner. Prior na nag-meet itong mga bata na na-rescue natin kahapon, meron pang ibang babaeng menor de edad din na kasama na nakikita sa hotel kung saan siya nahuli,” Albao added.

Authorities are checking if the recording device and a laptop computer seized from the suspect were used in pornography.

The minors rescued were brought to the City Social Services and Development Office for custody and psychosocial intervention.

The suspect, on the other hand, will face charges for child trafficking and violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.