Authorities eye more bar raids

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Intelligence Division (RID) are monitoring other KTV bars reported to be employing minors and engaging in human trafficking.

While he did not disclose further information, Supt. Pablo Labra, RID chief, said they are investigating other bars that may be involved in illegal activities.

“This is to warn others that this kind of business must not employ minors,” he said in an interview over radio dyHP.

A multi-agency operation Saturday night led to the arrest of six alleged pimps and the rescue of 43 women, 14 of whom were said to be minors.

Labra said that though the women may be tagged as “willing victims”, bar operators and owners could still be held liable as they are exploiting them.

“They are willing victims and naa diha ang pag-exploit kay gigamit nila ang kawad-on sa mga bata nga pasaligan sila ug trabaho unya maabot sa punto nga ibaligya isip (there is exploitation because the bar owners took advantage of the minors’ poverty in assuring them jobs that eventually led to a point where they were sold as) prostitutes. Diri na musulod ang (This is where the) element sa (of) trafficking (comes in),” he said.

 Yesterday, the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RATFF)-7 filed criminal complaints before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against the six alleged pimps arrested.

Simultaneous operations past 11p.m. last Saturday at Pussycats and Club Temptation bars along General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City led to their arrest and the rescue of 43 women.

During inquest proceedings, Marycris Brigole, 23; Ma. Kristine Noquera, 24 and Janice Cabardo, 26, all of Pussycats, denied the complaints but chose not to file counter-affidavits.

The three were charged for violating Section 4(a) and e in relation to Section 6(c) of Republic Act (RA) 9208, or the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act; and for violating RA 10364, or the Expanded Anti-trafficking in Persons Act.

Lawyer Alex Tolentino told the media that they will let the informations against his clients be filed in court and that would be time for them to answer the complaints. He claimed that his clients were merely employees of the bars and not pimps.

Aside from the three, the owners of the Pussycats, American Matthew Gerard Davies and Australian Robert Andrew Walton were included in the complaints.

In Club Temptation, authorities were able to arrest Charo Palima, 33; Crisanta Caramelo, 28; and Martcia Damo-ag, 37. The three were separately charged yesterday for violations of RA 9208 and of RA 10364.

The operations came after a month-long surveillance, which confirmed that the bars employed minors, some of whom are reportedly being paid to have sex with customers.

At the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Michael Rama said that for others to make the said raids instead of the City Government should serve as a “challenge” to the City.

“It will become a challenge kay lain man ang mi-raid. Gisulti-an nako ang mga commissions like CCIACAT (Cebu City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking), CAIB and Liquor Licensing, even City Police Director Noli Romana nga paglingkod mo bahin ani (you meet about this),” Rama said.

The Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CAIB) is headed by Dr. Lucelle Mercado; the Cebu City Liquor Licensing Commission (CCLLC), Msgr. Achilles Dakay; and the CCIACAT, City Councilor Lea Japson.

The mayor said he will ask for a report from these offices regarding establishments violating city regulations.

“They have to intensify their efforts in a collective manner. People are aware about these things happening but there is no collective effort. This is something we have to look into,” Rama said.

He said that if Pussycats and Club Temptation are found to have violated regulations, they would be padlocked.

Meanwhile, because poverty is the cause why young women and even minors are forced into prostitution, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 Assistant Regional Director Nemia Antipala said a long-term solution for this problem is the “push factor”, which is to address the issue on poverty on the grassroots level.

She said it should start by orienting the family, especially the parents, on what they should supposedly do to their children.

DSWD-7 Protective Services Unit Division Chief Shallane Marie Lucero said  that when they interview rescued minors who are victims of human trafficking, the common reason that these girls tell them is because of poverty.

 â€œBut we, at DSWD don’t believe that poverty is the reason, since there are many minors who do not resort to this kind of job. It is because of the family set up, how the parents raised their children and having broken homes misguided the children,” Antipala said.—Ria Mae Y. Booc, Jessa J. Agua, Mylen P. Manto, Marigold P. Lebumfacil/RHM (FREEMAN)