Human trafficking ring in Pangasinan busted

Ninety-five women were rescued and at least seven suspected members of a human trafficking syndicate were arrested Monday by members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Authorities said the human trafficking ring recruits Filipino women to work as online prostitutes for Japanese men. The PAOCC-initiated operation was conducted by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in coordination with the local police, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and barangay officials.