KTV bar denies employing minors

CEBU, Philippines - The management of a KTV bar earlier raided by the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board for allegedly employing minors as guest relations officer has denied the allegation.

Papillon Bar, through lawyer Vicente Fernandez II, denied that the alleged 11 minors rescued during the raid two weeks ago came from them.

Fernandez said these alleged minors could have come from three other bars that were also raided by CAIB personnel.

According to Fernandez, his client is aware that hiring minors as GROs is prohibited under the law.

 “Wala gyud mi mga minors diri nga gipa trabaho. Bawal na as a matter of policy,” said the bar’s administrative officer who requested anonymity.

CAIB earlier raided Papillon, Pussycat, Black Hole and Love City which resulted to the rescue of 11 suspected minors.

Four of them already admitted that they are below 18 years old while the others have yet to present their birth certificates.

CAIB is already coordinating with the Cebu City Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking to get their birth certificates from the National Statistics Office while they are temporarily under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.   - (THE FREEMAN)