Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation rescued three teenage girls from three suspected pimps in an entrapment last week in Malate, Manila.

The suspects were identified as Mario Benito Valera alias “Mike Garcia”, 56, of No. 21-A Fourth St., Ignacio Village, Quezon City; Maureen Escalante, alias “Mao”, 21, of No. 1983 Kahilom II, Pandacan, Manila; and  Matthew Paras, 17, of 2324 F. Balagtas St., Pandacan, Manila. Those rescued were girls aged 16 and 17.

The NBI-Anti-Human Trafficking Division said on March 7 they received a report that an Internet website  is engaged in human trafficking activities and prostitution.

They found out that Valera was the owner of the online profile promoting a group of managed escort service providers. 

Escalante was the “handler” of the trafficked victims, while Paras acted as “guide and escort” of the victims.

Acting on the information, an entrapment was planned. 

They contacted Valera to “deliver” young ladies to poseur-NBI agent at the Cherry Hotel & Restaurant in Jorge Bocobo Ext., Ermita, Manila for P5,000 for each girl.

The suspects were immediately apprehended as soon as they showed up with the girls at the hotel and are now detained at the NBI detention cell.         Hector Lawas

Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/metro/48427-nbi-rescues-3-teen-girls-from-pimps