MANILA, Philippines - An Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) composite team successfully rescued 45 sex workers and arrested seven pimps and employees in a house used as a sex den at 2061 Edison street Barangay San Isidro, Makati.
The team led by National Inter-Agency Task Force Against Trafficking (NIATFAT) chief Fiscal Jonathan Lledo, personnel from the Women and Child Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) headed by Senior Superintendent Emma Libunao and social welfare officers of Makati City conducted the police rescue operation Thursday night after weeks of casing and surveillance proved positive that human trafficking activities/sexual exploitation occurs at the house.
Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, IACAT head, said the government will go after offenders without let-up until the human trafficking menace is totally eradicated. He likewise congratulated the WCPD for its’ vigorous and steadfast efforts in support of the government’s anti human trafficking campaign.
“The campaign against human trafficking in all its forms will be unceasing and unrelentless. Offenders will be prosecuted and jailed,” Salazar said.
CIDG director, Chief Superintendent Samuel D Pagdilao Jr. identified the arrested suspects as Rolly M. Tadioan, 56; Jovito B. Estrada, 20; Jemel B. Diez, 20; Dionisio S. Camoong, 41, all from No. 2061, Edison St, Brgy. San Isidro, Makati City; Emiliano T. Almira, 58; and Fernando D. Alinsod, both of Sta Rosa, Laguna.
The owner and operator of the said prostitution den, identified only as a certain Joseph Ramos is still being tracked down by the CIDG, Pagdilao said.