CIDG nabs 2 Koreans for trafficking women

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed charges against two Korean nationals, who allegedly operate a prostitution den, for trafficking of women for allegedly operating a prostitution den.

The police also filed a separate complaint for vagrancy against seven suspected prostitutes working in the club operated by the Koreans.

CIDG-7 chief Oscar Catalan yesterday filed the case against Korean nationals Haji Wang and Sung Won for violation of Article 341 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 9208 otherwise known as white slavery and Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

Wang and Won own the Happy Time with Mr. Moon KTV located in sitio Panagdait, barangay Mabolo, which was a subject of a police operation last Saturday for allegedly being a front for prostitution activities.

CIDG operatives conducted an entrapment operation at the said establishment using a police decoy. A member of the CIDG posed as a customer and paid a P3,500 bar fine to the manager, Blue Catarra Rosales, who is also charged together with the owners, for the sexual services of one of their Guest Relations Officers.

After having paid the bar fine, the police decoy took the girl out and they checked-in at room 522 of the Prince Court Motel in barangay Mabolo. After the sexual act has been consummated, CIDG operatives immediately conducted a follow-up operation and arrested Wang and Won together with Rosales.

Seven other women, who are believed to be prostitutes, were likewise arrested for vagrancy. The suspected prostitutes identified as Mariz, Jelli, Annie, Julie, Razel, Trixlyn, and Angel were loitering at the KTV bar when arrested. The police believe that they were waiting for customers.

The seven suspected prostitutes were charged yesterday for violation of Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code otherwise known as vagrancy. A separate case for violation of Paragraph 5 of the same article or prostitution was also filed against the GRO who had a sexual act with the police decoy inside the motel.

The Korean nationals are temporarily detained at the CIDG stockade after they filed a waiver of detention while the preliminary investigation of the case against them is conducted by the Prosecutor's Office.

If after preliminary investigation, the Prosecutor's Office will find probable cause to indict the Koreans and their cohort in court, they will be facing a penalty of 10 to 12 years imprisonment if found guilty for the crime of white slavery while an imprisonment from 15 to 20 years for the crime of trafficking of women and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P2 million depending on the gravity of the offense.

Section 10 paragraph (g) of the Anti-Trafficking in Person of 2003 provides that if "the offender is a foreigner, he shall be immediately deported after serving his sentence and be barred permanently from entering the country." - Fred P. Languido