The Director of the National Bureau, Jaime Santiago, mentioned that among the rescued, six were minors. Santiago stated that they have been handed over to the Department of Social Welfare.
Among those arrested, six were Chinese nationals and four were Filipinos.
Santiago at a press conference said: "We have interrogated them, and they have been duly charged."
The head of the Cybercrime Division of the Bureau, Attorney Jeremy Lotoc, stated that this was the result of two operations within a week.
Lotoc mentioned that the crime involved foreigners using what is known as the "Romeo method" or "lover tactic."
He explained that their strategy was to develop romantic relationships with the victims and then "induce" them.
"They start by pursuing the target, offering special treatment to build a trust relationship. Then, they isolate the victims from the outside world, cutting off their contacts with family and friends, making them completely dependent on the traffickers both economically and emotionally," he said.
He added that the victims were then exploited and entered into sex trafficking. He mentioned that the criminal gang was offering services involving minors through a messaging app.
The Bureau stated in a declaration that this arrest operation was the result of actions taken on September 6 and 7, during which a raid was conducted on an apartment building in Pasay City. The Bureau reported that the Chinese mastermind and two accomplices were arrested during the pursuit operation.
The statement also mentioned: "Investigators also found that the group used various technologies in illegal sex trade including social media and online platforms, artificial intelligence, encryption and anonymity tools, and online markets to offer sexual services involving trafficked victims, including minors."
