Local police authorities along with the help of the NBI managed to save 11 minor girls from the hands of syndicates who are allegedly offering the minors to foreign casino players.
The suspects were identified as Hilary Acosta Y. Santos also known as Violet Sy, and her partner whose name is Joey Jalgalado. Sy has about 70,000 followers on Facebook, and many netizens were surprised after finding out that she is involved in the syndicate.
Meanwhile, her partner Jalgalado is believed to be the one contacting foreigners who want a private service. Netizens were angered and enraged after discovering the incident, blasting the two on social media after finding out that they were selling the minor girls to their customers for about P15,000 to P30,000 pesos. The two are now in the hands of police authorities and further investigation is still going underway. They will face charges and if proven guilty, they will be subject to the penalties of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, which are:
- for acts of trafficking: 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of P1 million to P2 million;
- for promotion the illegal activity: imprisonment for 15 years and a fine of P500,000 to P1 million
- for qualified trafficking: penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of P2 million to P5 million.
Sources: NCatalyst, Pinoy Trending, Facebook