7 trafficking suspects may face two charges

CEBU, Philippines - The seven suspects in the alleged trafficking of five girls in northern Cebu may face charges for violation of Republic Act 9231 or Anti-Child Labor Law and RA 9208 or the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

Insp. Catalina Diotay, chief of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), said charges will be filed after they complete the needed documents.

“Ipa-medical exam namo sila while in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7,” Diotay said in a phone interview.

Diotay said they are still investigating whether to file more charges against suspects Charry Rabuna, Marife Cañar, Lara Mae Coloma, Linda Paulin, Jeraly Oliamot, Jenky Lubiano and Rosario Hinuguin, who are currently detained at the Naga City police stockade.

The Provincial Intelligence Branch has yet to finish its affidavits of the operation.

The WCPD-CPPO will also conduct more surveillance operations in other northern resorts following the rescue of five minors.

“Dili man gud na malikayan kay daghan og resorts unya daghan ang turista nga foreigners unya naa gyuy minor pa mangilad na nga 18 na sila,” Diotay said.

The victims were rescued while seven persons were arrested in Daanbantayan and San Remigio last Saturday.

The girls, aged 15 and 16, were reportedly recruited as clerks for a store but allegedly ended up working as entertainers in different bars.

The revelation of the operation stemmed from the arrest of alleged drug pushers Ivan Lucero, Zosima Olivar and Gaze Canales at a bar in Barangay Pajo. Confiscated from the suspects were 105 small packs of shabu worth P28,000.

Sr. Insp. Leo Logroño of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) said they checked the Rosal Videoke bar in Barangay Pajo, Daanbantayan past 2 a.m. and found out that the rooms inside were used as sex dens.

The operatives then rescued the girls.

The rescued girls are reportedly from the towns of Balamban, Daanbantayan and Sogod.   (FREEMAN)