A Chinese businessman has been arrested along with nine other suspects after police found them operating a pension house in Santa Cruz, Manila, where they prostituted minors and dealt drugs.
The syndicate was busted by the Anti-Organized Crime Commission in an anti-human trafficking operation. Arrested were nine involved in the syndicate including its leader, Cesar Tanson and his wife Maria Elava Borja, owners of the El Pacifico Pension House on T. Alonzo Street.
Also arrested were Michelle Costo, Jerry Labadisos Jr., Arlyn Borja, Elmer Borja, Rolly Taganahan, Dominador Cagabhion Jr. and Rynaldo Saliu.
A statement released on the raid said the guest house was also being used for illegal drug trade.
In all, six minors were discovered working at the hotel as prostitutes. A follow-up raid on the residence of the Chinese businessman in Malabon City also netted a child who admitted being involved in the trade at the guest house.
An investigation into the matter shows recruiters working as far away as Samar and Zamboanga del Norte were persuading girls to come to Manila and work as “salesladies”.
Once the women were brought to Manila, the recruiters forced them into prostitution at the hotel where they catered to several customers per day.
All arrested in the case will be charged with Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Recruitment.