Anti-human trafficking task force hopes to get more help from public

CEBU, Philippines - Efforts of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force-7 to eradicate human trafficking in the region will only succeed through the help of the public.

Inspector Sheryl Bautista, the task force’s deputy chief, said that a number of people continue to engage in the illegal activity because of the high earnings it entails.

On Monday night, the RAHTTF arrested a 21-year-old man at a supermarket in Barangay Mambaling Cebu City for allegedly being involved in the illegal activity.

Fugilito Baring, 21, was under surveillance for three weeks after a concerned citizen tipped the RAHTTF that Baring was selling young girls to customers who needed “sexual services.”

Baring was arrested in an entrapment operation. Bautista said they rescued nine girls during the operation including a 12, 14, 16, and two 18 year-old girls.

She added that Baring admitted that he has been doing the illegal activity within this year only.   

 â€œHe will gather the girls and ihatod niya diha sa iyang customer and he will ask the money,” she said,

Bautista said that Baring sold the girls for P3,000 to P4,000 each to a customer, depending on their needs.

She called the public to cooperate with their efforts considering that their scope is very wide and there are only a few of them.

 â€œThey could be liable if they know that these children are in this activity and they benefit from the proceeds from it,” warned Bautista.

After the girls were rescued they were brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7.

In an interview, Baring denied the allegation but admitted that he was asked by someone to gather the girls.

He said he was surprised why he was arrested when he arrived at a supermarket in Mambaling. He added that he was only asked by a certain “Jimson” to gather girls.

“Ni-ana ko di man na nako makaya ang napulo ka babaye oy, sa man ko mangita ana,” he said.

He said he was aware that the girls would be used for sexual exploitation.

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking  International Justice Mission and Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Visayas coordinated during the operation.

The suspect will face a charge for violating Republic Act (RA) 10364 or the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

He is detained at the Fuente Police Station pending the filing of the case against him.  —  /ATO (FREEMAN)