MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday stood by its operation against a business establishment that was suspected of trafficking women, saying the raid that led to the rescue of dozens of victims was carried out in full compliance with legal procedures and said that more charges would be filed in the coming days.
In a statement, the NBI said its actions against the Chicago Family KTV and Bleu Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City,were guided by the evidentiary standards required under the justice system and conducted in close coordination among government agencies.
The clarification came after the bureau, through its Special Task Group, mounted an entrapment and rescue operation on April 21, 2026 targeting a suspected trafficking-in-persons network.
The operation, conducted alongside the Department of Justice–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and other partner agencies, resulted in the rescue of 54 women and the arrest of 15 individuals, including managers, facilitators, and customers.
Investigators said the establishments allegedly employed a “line-up” system where customers selected women inside the nightclub before proceeding to hotel rooms where sexual services were consummated. Transactions were estimated to range from P10,000 to P20,000, with proceeds allegedly shared among those involved in the operation.
Authorities said those arrested are facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended, and Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Recovered during the raid were marked money, suspected illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and documents linked to the alleged activities.
The NBI said individuals found at the premises who initially appeared to have no involvement in the alleged crimes were released after proper identification and processing, citing constitutional protections against warrantless detention without probable cause. It added that its focus, consistent with Department of Justice Department Circular 20, was to build cases against operators and traffickers while ensuring the protection of victims.
“The Chicago case is far from closed,” the NBI said, noting that additional charges would be filed against other individuals and entities in coordination with the DOJ anti-trafficking council.
The bureau said it was exercising caution to ensure that cases filed in court would meet the “standard of certainty of conviction” and withstand legal scrutiny, avoiding dismissals that could prejudice victims.
Corporate records obtained during the investigation showed that the registered owners of the establishments included the wife and son of former congressman Mike Defensor. Defensor's wife Juie denied her involvement in trafficking in a statement over the weekend.
The NBI stressed, however, that the information forms part of an ongoing probe and does not in itself establish criminal liability, adding that all parties are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The rescued women have been turned over to social welfare authorities for care and assistance.
The NBI reiterated its commitment to transparency, saying the outcome of its investigation would speak for itself as it moves to dismantle trafficking networks and hold those responsible accountable.
