NBI rescues 26 girls from uptown KTV bar

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 raided a KTV bar along Gen. Maxilom Ave. at 10:30 p.m. last Thursday and rescued 26 girls.

Prosecutor Liceria Rabillas of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the girls are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). At least five of them are minors.

Arrested during the raid were the girls's pimp and the Red Lips KTV Bar's manager and assistant manager.

They will be facing qualified human trafficking complaints.

Rabillas said they will also be filing complaints against the persons whose names appear in the business permit. Prior to the arrest, Rabillas said a poseur buyer went inside the bar to avail of the services of their girls using marked money.

The NBI conducted a surveillance for one week prior to the raid.

Aside from the NBI, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) also helped in the operation.

The complaint for qualified trafficking will be filed today at the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.  (FREEMAN)