Five arrested for human trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - Two men and three women, who enticed a 16-year-old girl from Lapu-Lapu City to work in Manila as a house help but actually was to be sent to a girlie bar, were arrested yesterday in Manila for illegal trafficking of persons.

When the father learned that his daughter was to be sent to a girlie bar, he, together with one of the recruiters who live in the city, went to the police.

The non-government organization International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Maritime police were contacted and immediately intercepted the girl and the suspects at a pier in Manila. They were brought back to Lapu-Lapu City.

Three of the women are Lapu-Lapu residents. The men come from Antipolo City and Leyte.

All the suspects are now detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office. – Flor Z. Perolina