QCPD rescues 5 women from human traffickers, 3 nabbed
QUEZON City policemen arrested three suspects for alleged human trafficking and rescued five female victims in two separate entrapment operations by joint operatives of District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) and District Women and Children Concern Section (DWCCS).
PLTCol. Rolando Lorenzo Jr, DSOU chief, identified the arrested suspects as Wendel Balangatan, 38, resident of Novaliches, Quezon City; Darlene De Guzman, 22, resident of Caloocan City; and Charmaine Sual, 26, resident of Sampaloc Manila.
A report shows DSOU operatives received several tips from a concerned citizen regarding the proliferation of human trafficking activities thru online booking.
Through cyber patrol, DSOU operatives were able to book two ladies from an unidentified male pimp via Facebook messenger for P6,500 each. A joint entrapment operation was immediately conducted by DSOU operatives and DWCCS at about 10:20 p.m. of October 1, 2022 in front of Verjandel Hotel located on 70 Kalayaan Ave., Brgy. Teachers Village West, Quezon City which resulted in the arrest of the suspects and rescue of two female victims.
Meanwhile, the same operatives also received information thru a telephone call from a concerned citizen regarding the proliferation of human trafficking along Quezon Ave. Corner Dr. Garcia Sr St., Brgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City.
An entrapment operation was set at about 1:25 a.m. of October 2, 2022 which resulted in the arrest of Cindy Salen, 47, resident of Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City; and Florita Vera, 60, resident of Caloocan City and rescued three females.
Investigation revealed the operatives posted as motorists along Quezon Avenue. Upon reaching the area of corner Dr. Garcia St., they were flagged down by the suspects and offered them young ladies in exchange for P1,000.that prompted the responding officers to affect the arrest.
Confiscated from the five suspects were two P500 bills florescence and a cellular phone.
The arrested suspects will be charged with violation of R.A. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and R.A. 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
The rescued women were brought to the Quezon City Social Services Development Department (SSDD) for proper disposition.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating kapulisan sa QCPD sa pagiging masigasig sa kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin. In partnership with QCPD, we will take action regarding these incidents and we will make sure to arrest anyone who will be involved in these kind of incident,” Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte said.
“Ang mga ganitong operasyon ng QCPD ay magpapatuloy sapagkat hindi natin hahayaang mapahamak ang ating mga kababaihan,” said PBGEN Torre III. He further reiterated his gratefulness to his men and women for their untiring support. He vowed that QCPD will remain relentless in its quest for peace and in maintaining peace and order in the City.
