Abalos wants probe on sex trafficking, illegal online gaming ops in Pasay City
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the alleged “massive” human trafficking incidents and illegal online gaming activities in Pasay City.
In a letter, Abalos directed PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. to investigate the local sub-station commander and Pasay City police chief regarding the allegations and to take the ‘appropriate action as warranted.’
“Subject to Comelec (Commission on Elections) regulations, it is recommended to relieve the commander and all the members of the local sub-station, pending investigation,’’ Abalos stated.
Abalos’ instructions came on the heels of reports that numerous rooms of the six-storey Smart Web Technology building located on F. B. Harrison corner William Streets were used for sex trafficking and illicit online gaming activities.
On Oct. 27, 2023, Abalos received information that law enforcers uncovered the said operations where 589 possible victims, including seven females were rescued in the supposed ‘sexual exploitation’ trade.
“It is highly improbable to think that an entire six-storey building essentially dedicated to criminal activity, involving almost 600 potential victims, could somehow escape the notice of the local sub-station commander,’’ Abalos asserted.
The DILG chief described that trafficking human beings is a "horror that we must stamp out, adding that ‘any complicity by government agents in this modern-day evil cannot be tolerated."