11 girls rescued from sex, drug den

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmen rescued yesterday 11 teenage girls from the hands of a local drug and prostitution syndicate during a raid on the Victory Hotel in Grace Park, Caloocan City.

Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Wilson Sanos said the operation was conducted by Caloocan policemen and agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority’s Special Enforcement Forces and Complaints and Reaction Unit.

Several sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu were recovered from the drug den, police said. PDEA is set to file charges against the owner of the hotel.

Police said they are withholding the identities of the suspects who detained the girls in the hotel to offer sexual services to customers in order not to jeopardize ongoing follow-up operations.

Sources said the area where the hotel is located is reportedly noted for criminal activities.

The girls were turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.