Pimps warned: Ignorance not an excuse

CEBU, Philippines - Regardless of whether or not a waiter who was arrested for human trafficking was aware that what he was doing was a crime, he will still be held accountable for his action.

This was according to Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force-7 chief Senior Inspector Maria Theresa Macatangay after suspected pimp Ryan “Leyan” Opong said he was not aware that what he was doing is illegal.

“Gusto   lang   nako ipaabot nga illegal ug kalapasan sa balaud ang pagpang-recruit, pag-hire, pag-transport ug pagbaligya sa tawo sa laing tawo in-exchange sa paghilawas, pagtrabaho ug pagkuha og internal organs,” Macatangay said.

Opong, 21, a native of Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental, was arrested Saturday in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

Macatangay said the suspect is a waiter but is also offering girls to bar customers for sexual services for a fee. During the operation, Opong was caught offering sexual services of two minors for P4,000.

Macatangay said the suspect made the offers to their informant through text messages.

Opong was arrested during the entrapment operation while 11 girls, including two minors, that were rescued.

Opong said he did not know that what he was doing is illegal.

“Wa ko kahibawo nga ingon ana ba diay na sir, kung nakahibawo pa ko di ko mag-ingon ana sir,” Opong said.

Opong, who admitted not having gone to school said he was the only one supporting his parents in Davao Occidental.

“For the most part, those out-of-school youth are vulnerable. Ang ilang wala pag-eskuwela adto man sila ig-on labi na’g makakwarta,” Macatangay said.

She added that the parents of the minors were not informed of their activities and urged every parent to monitor their child to prevent incidents like this in the future.

Macatangay emphasized that the parents should monitor the acti-vities of their children and their companions, including the places that they frequent. She warns people who patronize sexual services that they too can be held liable for human trafficking. (FREEMAN)