Kagawad sued for trafficking

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A barangay official in Baguio has been sued along with four others for alleged involvement in trafficking of 11 women, who were recently rescued from a massage parlor along Magsaysay Avenue.

Rey Obello of Barangay Upper Magsaysay will be charged for violating Republic Act 9208 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. He reportedly owns the massage parlor that serves as a front for prostitution.

Orbello was not in the area when agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) raided the establishment located at the Old Market Building along Upper Magsaysay Avenue.

The raiding team found 11 women in a room on the second floor of the building.

Five employees of the establishment were taken by the NBI agents for questioning.

The women were taken to the DSWD for assistance.