8 rescued from girlie bar in Parañaque City

Barangay officials in Parañaque City rescued eight women, four of whom are minors, in a girlie bar along Kalaw Street on Saturday evening.

Florencia Amurao, officer-in-charge of Barangay BF, said all victims were allegedly lured to come to Manila by a certain Gigi Cadayday, owner of K-4 Bar and Restaurant in Parañaque City.

In a telephone interview, Amurao identified four of the victims as Analyn Mata, 19; Richelle Randare, 24; Perlia Gacutin, 22; and Alona Ataque, 23; all from Cagayan de Oro.

"The women thought that they were joining a promotion work in Japan but ended up working for K-4 Bar and Restaurant," said Amurao.

Radio reports said they were not given salaries because they still had to pay for their transportation expenses to Manila that were paid for by their employer, and for their uniforms.

Amurao said Cadayday applied for a business permit in the barangay last January and hired the women in February.

"Wala naman masama kung i-table ang isang babae sa isang bar, pero foul na iyon kapag me kissing at touching (There's nothing wrong if the girls are invited to a table by customers but it is already inappropriate if there is kissing and touching)."

One of the victims, Richelle Randare, was reportedly able to seek help from a radio station and and the girls were rescued in coordination with the barangay officials.

They would be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"When I first asked them if they want to press charges against Cadayday, the victims said they just wanted to go home and be provided with transportation fare and pocket money. But when we asked them the second time, they said they would like to file charges," Amurao added.