MANILA - Four teenage girls were rescued by police from a suspected sex trafficker in an entrapment operation in Iligan City Monday night.

Chief Insp. Rassel Tuliao of the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the victims were being offered to have sex with their clients in exchange for P1,500 each.

Operatives of the Mindanao Field Unit of WCPC arrested a 56-year-old man who allegedly acted as a pimp to the victims.

Tuliao said the victims, ages 16 and below, were students.

"Kung minsan ino-offer niya ang mga bata, karamihan estudyante, sa mga Chinese na parokyano. O kapag may bisita ipinangreregalo," Tuliao said.

"Magdadala siya ng mga babae sa motel kung saan mapagkasunduan and then papapiliin ang kustomer," he added.

The suspect will face complaints for violating Republic Act (RA) 7610 or Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and RA 10364 or Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, said Chief Supt. William Macavinta, head of WCPC.

The City Social Welfare and Development of Iligan took custody of the victims. - report from Maan Macapagal, ABS-CBN News