Ten victims of human trafficking, including nine minors, were rescued by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Barangay Baquioen, Sual, Pangasinan, on May 1, 2025.
The NBI Cybercrime Division and Special Task Force led the operation after receiving reports that underage workers were being employed and undocumented foreign nationals were being harbored within a local compound.
Authorities arrested five suspects: Chinese nationals Zhonggang Qui and Wenwen Qui, and Filipinos Angielyn Rmairez, Marichelle Ambrosio, and Jay Amor. They are now facing multiple charges, including Qualified Trafficking under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, violations of child labor laws, economic sabotage, and breaches of environmental regulations.
According to investigators, the minors were recruited from Northern Samar and subjected to forced labor and debt bondage. They were reportedly threatened with firearms and assigned to physically demanding tasks such as hauling fish feed and tending to offshore fish cages in Lingayen Gulf.
Two of the rescued minors were discovered to be pregnant by their live-in partners, aged 22 and 23. These findings may lead to statutory rape charges.
NBI agents also found that the fish pen operations were primarily run by Chinese nationals and posed environmental and public utility risks.
The suspects have undergone inquest proceedings. NBI Director Jaime Santiago praised the agents’ efforts and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating human trafficking and other crimes.
