Lapu bar managers face raps

CEBU, Philippines - The anti-trafficking task force filed a complaint against five persons who allegedly managed the White Castle Bar along the airport road in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

Chief Insp. Maria Theresa Macatangay said they filed the complaint at around 3 p.m. yesterday. The complaint was for violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act before the Lapu-lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.

The respondents signed a waiver of detention and given ten days to file their counter-affidavits.

Macatangay said they conducted surveillance late last year after receiving information that there were minors working inside the bar.

“To be clear, these are not surveillance based on our personal will but this was brought by many reports received by our office, thus we confirmed and verified such reports,” she said.

She added the victims were coming from different places, including Manila, Davao, Subic and others although most of them are from Central Visayas.

“They were recruited by somebody who went to their respective localities,” she said.

Macatangay said they recovered tickets from victims who recently arrived in the city to be employed in the said establishment.

There were 43 women rescued from the bar, eight of them minors aged 16 to 18 years old based on dental examination.

Macatangay said the victims were involved in “sexual acts.”

The victims were rescued through a joint effort by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), International Justice Mission (IJM) and the police last Wednesday evening. (FREEMAN)