4 persons arrested for trafficking minors

CEBU, Philippines - A joint operation by Police Regional Office’ Anti-Human Trafficking team, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Carbon Police station and International Justice Mission the other night rescued four minors who were believed to be prostituted and arrested four individuals for violation of the law on anti-trafficking in persons.

Arrested were spouses Antonio and Christina Planteras, owner of new Perlito’s lodge along Osmeña Bolevard; Marichiu Tawi, 27, and Marilyn Buhisan, 38, caretakers of the said lodging house and believed to be “pimps.”

The operation was a result of several weeks of surveillance at the lodging house where the suspects allegedly employ and engage the rescued minors in prostitution.

Today, the four suspects will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.”  

The law describes trafficking in persons to the recruitment, transportation, transfer or harboring, or receipt of persons with or without the victim’s consent or knowledge, within or across national borders by means of threat or use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of position. Taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation which includes at a minimum, the exploitation or the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery, servitude or the removal or sale of organs.

However, Jonar Pastoril, one of the caretakers of Perlito’s lodge, denied that they were engaged in prostitution by using the minors.

“Kadtong mga minors igo ra man to gidala dinhi sa ilang mga kustomer wa man gyud mi labot ana kay lodging house ra man ni ang among negosyo,” Pastoril said.

Last month, the International Justice Mission and Cebu City Police Office also rescued 11 commercial sex workers, three of them believed to be minors, inside Stripes resto bar along Escario corner Morales streets in barangay Camputhaw. Police authorities also arrested the floor manager, Glenda Boiser Teo, 42, a resident of San Roque, Talisay City. — Ramil V. Ayuman/WAB (THE FREEMAN)