MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) rescued nine women allegedly subjected to commercial sexual exploitation during an entrapment operation at a massage spa in Quezon City, the bureau said.

The NBI-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-OTCD), in coordination with the Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and Quezon City social welfare authorities, conducted the operation on Aug. 5 at SPA KYOTO, also known as SPAKYOTO SPA, in Sta. Mesa Heights.

The operation stemmed from intelligence information that the establishment was allegedly using Telegram to advertise female therapists and offer clients “all-in” packages that included commercial sexual services.

The NBI said surveillance, online investigation and verification provided reasonable grounds to believe that the establishment was engaged in trafficking in persons through information and communications technology.

Undercover agents booked three female therapists for an “All-In” package during the operation. After the transaction was facilitated and the agreed down payment was received, authorities gave the pre-arranged signal, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the rescue of the nine women.

Based on sworn statements, the victims said they had been recruited and offered to clients for commercial sexual services. They also said financial necessity and other vulnerable circumstances influenced their decision to accept or remain in the work.

The rescued women were referred to the Quezon City Social Services Development Department for appropriate intervention and assistance.

Authorities filed charges for qualified trafficking in persons on a large scale under Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by Republic Act No. 10364, in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to dismantling human trafficking operations through intelligence gathering, coordinated enforcement operations and the implementation of anti-trafficking laws.