Friends ask for release of girls from Jaguar KTV

CEBU, Philippines - Six “close friends” of those arrested from Jaguar KTV have filed a petition for habeas corpus.

Petitioners Sheila Doculan, Mary Joy Villafuerte, Melanie Ruth Acosta, Pearl Mutia, Analiza Alegre and Menerva Velasco filed case against the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RATF) led by PInsp Maria Theresa Macatangay, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led by Edna Regudo and its director, the International Justice Mission (IJM) led by Daryl Tait Purviance and the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) led by PSSUPT Augusto Marquez to release the 22 girls arrested.

The petitioners, all residents of Kasambagan, Banilad, Cebu City said the 22 girls arrested by the authorities in Jaguar KTV Bar during the implementation of the search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Ramon Daomilas of Branch 11 are actually restrained of their liberty at DSWD Regional Office.

“The persons subject of this petition have been restrained of their liberties since April 9 at the DSWD Regional Office Cebu City up to the present. And no complaint and information have yet been filed against them,” the petitioners said.

They stressed that their friends did not commit any crime so they should be released. They added that the RATF has no basis and no authority in restraining the 22 girls.

The petitioners are asking for “speedy and adequate remedy to protect the rights of the restrained girls.”

On April 9, 2011 at around 9:15 p.m. the members of RATF, DSWD, RID, IJM and Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted an entrapment and rescue operation at Jaguar KTV at Kasambagan, Cebu City by virtue of two search warrants issued last April 6, 2011.

The petitioners said agents of RATF led by Macatangay arrested the 22 girls for alleged violation of Republic Act 9208, otherwise known as Anti Trafficking in Persons Act, without any legal basis. — (FREEMAN)