MANILA, Philippines – An Angeles City, Pampanga Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicted three foreigners of trafficking related to a scam hub operation.

Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 114 Judge Rodrigo del Rosario found Hong Li Ji, also known as Jason or Big Boss, Tan Yong, alias Dolly or Beta, and Ifandi, also known as Ace, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended.

The court handed down the verdict on May 4, but the decision was only made public on May 6. The three accused were sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay a P2-million fine.

They were also ordered by the court to pay each of the victims – Oak Kar Paing Soe and Frantz Arno Mandy – P500,000 as moral damages and P100,000 as exemplary damages.

“This conviction is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Philippine government to eradicate human trafficking,” former Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) chief Gilbert Cruz said.

“This historic conviction sends a powerful message to transnational crime groups that Philippine authorities remain fully committed to dismantling illicit networks, rescuing exploited victims, and ensuring that perpetrators face the full force of the law,” he added.

On May 4, 2023, the Cruz-led PAOCC launched an operation inside the Clark Sun Valley Hub Corporation to rescue over 1,000 victims of human trafficking. Former PAOCC chief Gilberto Cruz said they dismantled the facility because foreign nationals were unlawfully recruited, transported, and harbored.

Based on investigations, the alleged syndicate took advantage of the victims and confiscated their passports. The victims were offered a salary of P75,000 a month to attract men online and lure them – within a week – into making cryptocurrency “investments.”

When the workers failed to seal a deal, their salaries were withheld. They were also forced to work for 16 to 18 hours a day, with only one meal in between. – Rappler.com