17 trafficking victims rescued

CEBU, Philippines - Seventeen alleged female victims of human trafficking were rescued by the Regional Anti-human Trafficking Task Force-7 last Thursday night at a bar along Sanciangko St., Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City.

As of yesterday only two of them were confirmed minors, while the other victims are still undergoing age verification at the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 headquarters. 

Chief Insp. Maria Teresa Macatangay, together with other representatives from the International Justice Mission and DSWD-7, headed the raid of The Boss Bikini and Disco Bar. The operation was the third for this year.

The bar was placed under surveillance for three weeks before they confirmed reports of possible human trafficking victims working there.

Macatangay said they raided the bar and arrested the manager after he made arrangements with one of their agents to take out one of the girls for sexual favors around 11 p.m.

The presence of the police caused commotion after bar patrons scampered out of the bar.

The manager admitted to managing the bar but denied that any of his workers were minors. He said his workers came to him looking for work which he just provided.

RATTF-7 is set to file charges against him today before the Cebu City Prosecutors Office for violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

DSWD-7 Social Worker Edna Regudo said most of the victims come from the Cebu Province while the rest are from Cebu City.(FREEMAN)