The three girls, ages 13 and 14, were rescued by police in Manila after they were recruited by a 35-year-old man into a fake gang. The suspect allegedly made them choose between “hard” or “delicious” as part of their initiation.
First, two children were exploited and another of them was videotaped while marking his hand with a cigarette. As a result, the victims reported the incident and the police conducted an entrapment operation.
According to the investigation, the suspect is using social media to recruit youths looking for a gang. He threatens that anyone who chooses “hardship” will be hurt. It also emerged that the man is not a real gang member and is just using it to deceive.
When caught, the suspect was caught on CCTV slipping while fleeing a hotel. With the help of police, he was caught on Macaraig Street with a 42-year-old accomplice who was taking the victims to the hotel.
The suspects are facing charges under the Anti-Trafficking in Person, Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Anti-Hazing Act, and Grave Coercion. The victims have been subjected to counseling. Police remind parents: monitor their children especially on their social media.
