Two Malaysian nationals were arrested for alleged human trafficking and love scam operations in Bacolod City.

Armed with a search warrant on March 27, 2025, personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bacolod went inside the house rented by the Malaysian nationals.

According to CIDG-Bacolod, the Malaysians are into recruiting women-models in exchange for “huge salary.”

Pictures of the models are being offered to other foreigners online via dating sites.

Other recruits, referred to as “agents,” collect money from customer-foreigners who are looking for intimate partners.

Ten models and agents were rescued in the operation.

“We are thinking about 100 plus agents. Nag-offer sa kanila itong mga operator, mga big boss kung tawagin, na maging customer service representative,” according to Major Justin Noel Josol, chief of CIDG-Bacolod.

Earlier, agents who did not receive their salary reported the illegal operations to the authorities.

Confiscated from the suspects are laptops and cameras believed used by the suspects in their unscrupulous operation.

An owner of the house denied any knowledge on the operation of the Malaysian nationals.

“Wala kaming alam kung ano ang pinaggagawa nila,” alias “Naome,” one of the house owners, said.  

CIDG-Bacolod has monitored the suspects in about a month in Purok Henrietta Village, Barangay Singcang-Airport.

According to residents, the foreign nationals have rented the house for quite a long time already, and that women have been spotted frequenting the said house.

“Pumupunta ang mga babae, nag-a-apply. Mga matatangkad, maganda ang pangangatawan, magaganda,” a security guard said. 

The suspects were submitted to inquest proceedings on charges for human trafficking. Their names have been withheld, as of this writing.

Further, it was learned that the suspects’ tourist visa has already expired.  

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried to seek a comment from the suspects but was barred by the CIDG.