Two Boracay cops cited for drive vs. white slavery

CEBU, Philippines – Two members of the Boracay Police received commendation medals for three successful entrapment operations against white slavery that resulted in the rescue of 35 women from various establishments in the island of Malay, Aklan.

Chief Superintendent Josephus Angan, director of the Police Regional Office-6, conferred the Medalya ng Papuri to Inspectors Honey May Rosete and Nilo Morales during Monday’s flag raising and awarding ceremony held at the PRO-6 Multi-Purpose Hall.

Rosete and Morales led the team that rescued the women, who were allegedly victims of sexual exploitation in the evening of August 7, this year, from three videoke bars at sitios Lugutan and Bantud and at Barangay Manoc-Manoc in Boracay island.

The operations were in coordination with the Aklan’s Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, and initiated by the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center and the Aklan Police Provincial Office’s Women and Children Protection Desk.

According to BTAC, the victims were recruited from other provinces, such as Negros Occidental and Cebu, and even Metro Manila. They were reportedly promised with work as waitresses in Boracay restaurants and hotels, but they ended up as entertainers in bars, while others were forced into prostitution.

The victims are now under the custody of the DSWD while a case for violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 was filed against the bar owners.