Alleged pimps charged in court

CEBU, Philippines – Two alleged pimps were charged in court for qualified trafficking in persons after they were caught offering sexual services of five women- including a minor- to male motorists passing along Juana Osmeña Street.

Charged before the Regional Trial Court for violation of Section 4 in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 9208 or the Trafficking in Persons Act were Jackie Maycabalong and Dave Pasilan.

Maycabalong and Pasilan were caught by operatives of the Regional Police Office-7 during an entrapment operation last Thursday.

A team led by SPO2 Raul Sabaldan, PO3 Jose Erwin Dumaguit and PO1 Linda Almohallas and a confidential agent conducted the entrapment operation along Juana Osmeña Street in barangay Capitol Site following a week of surveillance operation.

Last June 18, an entrapment operation was set up together with representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. One of the policemen pretended to be a customer looking for the services of a prostitute.

Maycabalong and Pasilan demanded P2,000 as payment for the service plus P100 for taxi fare. They agreed to bring the girls to a restaurant along Juana Osmeña for the supposed clients to choose.

As soon as the accused accepted the P2,000 payment, a rescue operation was immediately conducted, which resulted to the arrest of the respondents.

The prosecutor’s office did not recommend bail for the respondents’ temporary liberty. — Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)