* Suspect is the same pimp accosted by Rep. Duterte
By Ivy Tejano
The long arms of the law finally caught up with a pimp posing as businessman who once played victim and accused Davao City Congressman Paolo Duterte for grave threats, attempted murder assault after an altercation that took place in a bar in Barangay Obrero last 23 February 2025.
In a sudden and unexpected twist of events Kristone John Patria who is also known as Kristone John Moreno alias “Sion” was arrested in sting operation staged by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group after being complained of by Aaron Paul Syboco for engaging in prostitution. The charges were filed against him by the Manila City Prosecutors Office.
On July 7, 2025 however the 37 year old accused will be arraigned before the Regional Trial Court Branch 33 for qualified human trafficking.
Complainant alleged that Moreno acted as a pimp (bugaw) by offering him access to so-called “Class A Women” for paid sexual encounters.
Moreno was subjected to inquest proceedings after the National Capital Region Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – Regional Field Unit presented him to the prosecutors office.
In a six-page inquest resolution dated April 28, 2025, Moreno was charged under Republic Act No. 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, which has since been expanded through RA 10364 in 2012 and RA 11862 in 2022.
A court official, who begged not to be identified, said that Moreno will be transferred to the court custody in Davao City, where the judicial proceedings will take place.
Lawyer Borgy Calugay, Assistant State Prosecutor, said the CIDG had successfully established all the components of “qualified trafficking in persons,” based on evidence and legal provisions.
The victims’ testimonies identified Patria also known as Moreno alias “Sion” as the person who recruited and brought them to a hotel in Davao City on April 25, where they were allegedly offered to clients for sexual services.
Calugay said the accused took advantage of the victims’ vulnerability by compensating them and arranging their services for his clients .
The prosecutor stressed that Moreno’s crimes fall under Section 4(a) of RA 9208, which defines acts of prostitution and sexual exploitation. He added that Moreno was caught in the act during a police entrapment operation.
Based on the inquest resolution, Moreno met with undercover officers acting as clients and delivered three women to a prearranged location. He was also recorded on video receiving payment that had been marked for the operation.
The forensic report further confirmed traces of ultraviolet powder — used to trace marked money — on both of Moreno’s hands and on the bills used for the sting operation .
Given that the alleged crime involved three victims and used mobile communication for coordination, Prosecutor Calugay classified the offense as “qualified trafficking,” citing Sections 6(c) and 6(o) of the law.
The case has been formally endorsed for prosecution by Calugay, their Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas, who also heads the Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking, and Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.
It can be recalled that last February 23, Congressman Paolo Duterte of the 1st District of Davao City accosted Patria, also known as Moreno and alias Sion in a local bar in Barrio Obrero for using the joint as his prostitution business. Since the incident took place on the heels of the midterm elections anti -Duterte vloggers and propagandists pictured Moreno as the victim of threat and intimidation. Later, on May 2, Moreno himself filed charges against the congressman. Moreover this generated reactions and commentaries which alleged that Moreno is a “bugaw”, a local term meaning “pimp”.
The lawmaker however was unfazed and announced to his constituents that: “It’s still your decision to choose who you are going to vote for congressman in the first district.” Congressman Duterte was re-elected with a huge margin.
The case which Moreno is facing has nothing to do with the case he filed against Representative Duterte.
