2 women charged with human trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation-7 has filed criminal complaints for child abuse and violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act against two bar owners in the City of Naga.

The complaints were filed before the City of Naga Prosecutor’s Office against Wilfreda Campos, resident of Kantao-an Road, Barangay Inayagan, and Susan Moreno.

NBI-7 agents arrested the suspects on November 7, 2014 at around 6 p.m. along Kantao-an Road.

Agent Rey Villordon said Campos and Moreno waived their right to avail of a preliminary investigation. The suspects opted to answer the charges directly in court.

The NBI received information from the International Justice Mission that Freda’s KTV and Susan’s KTV bars in Inayagan were engaged in trafficking young girls for sexual exploitation.

Freda’s bar fine is reportedly P2,000 while Susan’s bar fine is P1,500 to P2,000 in exchange for sex.

Villordon said there were agents deployed to act as customers prior to the arrest. He said the undercover agents were able to confirm that the bars owned by the suspects are offering minors for sexual services to their customers.

There were seven minors rescued during the operation and are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (FREEMAN)