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NEWS REPORTS 

POLICE REPORTS 

Cordillera’s No. 1 Most Wanted Human Trafficking suspect nabbed at NAIA after return from Cambodia

  • Writer: Lorraine Bacullo
    Lorraine Bacullo
  • 2 hours ago
  • 2 min read

Tabuk City, Kalinga – What appeared to be a routine arrival from Cambodia ended in arrest for a 28-year-old man identified by authorities as the No. 1 most wanted human trafficking suspect in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) after he was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on May 31, 2026.


John Lerry Amit, a resident of Los Baños, Laguna, was arrested upon his arrival from Cambodia based on a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court in La Trinidad, Benguet, on April 21, 2026, for qualified trafficking in persons, a non-bailable offense under Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10364.


According to the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-CAR), Amit was the region’s top most wanted person in connection with the alleged recruitment of a resident of Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet, who was promised a monthly salary of ₱70,000 as a casino dealer in Cambodia.


However, upon arriving in Phnom Penh on January 5, 2026, the victim’s passport was allegedly confiscated, and he was forced to work in an online scam hub. Authorities said the victim was allegedly compelled to participate in online fraud operations before eventually escaping on January 11 and returning to the Philippines on January 23.


The incident led to the filing of a qualified trafficking complaint in La Trinidad, resulting in the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Amit.


Authorities later confirmed that the suspect was in Cambodia and coordinated efforts to monitor his movements until his return to the Philippines, where he was arrested upon arrival at NAIA.


Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, or harboring of persons through deception, coercion, or abuse for the purpose of exploitation. Victims are often forced into labor, prostitution, scam operations, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.


Under Philippine law, qualified trafficking is among the country's gravest offenses and carries penalties that may include life imprisonment and hefty fines upon conviction.


According to data cited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-CAR, 30 of the 46 trafficking cases recorded nationwide from 2024 to July 2025 were documented in the Cordillera region. These involved cases of forced labor, illegal recruitment, and sexual exploitation.


The case against Amit remains subject to judicial proceedings.

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