September 26, 2025
MANILA – Police rescued six Filipinos and arrested two Taiwanese nationals in a joint anti-human trafficking operation at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
PNP Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) spokesperson Police Major Shari Vanneza Deseo said the victims — two women and four men, ages 26 to 29 — were recruited on social media with promises of $1,000 (about P58,000) monthly salaries in Cambodia. Investigators later found they were being trafficked to work as online scammers.
“This was a coordinated operation with the Department of Migrant Workers and other partner agencies,” Deseo said. “It led to the arrest of two Taiwanese nationals and the rescue of six victims who were about to be transported to Cambodia.”
Deseo said the victims were aware they would work as scammers but were lured by the high salary and the offer to process their travel papers for free.
The suspects, now detained at the WCPC custodial facility, face charges under Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended by RA 10364, and for syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment under RA 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995), as amended by RA 10022. Convictions carry life imprisonment and fines of up to P5 million.
Investigators have also identified a Filipino facilitator based in Cambodia who allegedly directed the Taiwanese suspects. A separate case will be filed against the facilitator, who police said has been in contact with Cambodian law enforcement.
Recruitment through social media platforms is increasing, and so are reports of exploitation abroad, Deseo said. She added that trafficking attempts to Cambodia and Myanmar remain a persistent problem.
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Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation reflects the government’s intensified campaign against human trafficking.
“Our job is to protect our kababayan. This shows we will go wherever we need to and do whatever it takes to stop human traffickers and bring justice to their victims,” he said in a statement.
He said the rescue highlights the importance of coordination among law enforcement agencies and the government’s ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable Filipinos.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the police remain committed to the fight. “Every life we protect is a reminder of why we do what we do. The PNP remains committed to delivering justice and protecting human dignity,” he said.
Deseo said investigators are also looking into whether the suspects are connected to recent rescues of trafficking victims in Palawan, noting that the modus operandi appeared similar, but no direct link has yet been confirmed.