Oplan Sagip Anghel rescues 22 minors

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group rescued 22 minors and five women from prostitution dens in Maria Cristina Street, barangay Capitol Site last Tuesday.

Police Senior Inspector Patrick Freddie Vaño, who headed the team, said the rescue operations were in line with “Oplan Sagip Anghel”, a campaign against child abuse and human trafficking.

Vaño said the 27 women were all from Manila and other areas in Luzon who were recruited and transported middle of last year to Cebu City after they were promised of decent jobs here. Unfortunately, they landed working in night clubs and bars and were sexually exploited.

CIDG operatives arrested and detained Neopito Dizon, 41, a resident of 1129 San Miguel Street, Sampaloc, Manila; Annie Dizon, 42, and Rolano Dizon, 25, of 488 Torres Subdivision, Montalban, Rizal; Nick Sancho, 25, a resident of Poblacion Naawan, Misamis Oriental; Aniano Sencil, 44, of La Libertad, Zamboanga del Norte; Rhea Manguranan, 21, of Araneta, Quezon City; Edgardo Valmonte, 38, of 172 Baco, La Loma, Quezon City; and Jocelyn Cardon, 38, of 10 Maria Cristina Street, Capitol Site who were found to be involved in the trafficking of the minors and the women. 

Police Supt. Jason Capoy, deputy regional chief of the CIDG-7, said the police operation was in response to the call for assistance by “Bitag,” an investigative TV program aired over IBC Channel 13 and anchored by Ben Tulfo. This was after a 13-year-old girl sought help from Bitag, saying that her colleagues were “victimized by unscrupulous persons and taken to Cebu City.”

Capoy said the rescued victims were later turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The CIDG is now preparing for the filing of cases against the suspects in violation of Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act of 2003, anytime today. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV