
Two persons allegedly engaged in sex trafficking have been arrested during an entrapment operation at a videoke bar in Sariaya, Quezon, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday, Sept. 15.
In a statement, the NBI identified those arrested as Shaira Mae Alcantara Quindara and Michael Lacerna Penid.
It said they were arrested at the Jagiya Videoke Bar last Sept. 1 during an entrapment operation conducted by agents of the NBI’s Lucena District Office (NBI-LUCDO).
“After payment of the fee for the sexual services of the GROs (guest relations officers), the operatives immediately arrested the subjects,” the NBI said.
“The operation also resulted in the rescue of the victims who were employed therein as GROs,” it said.
Quindara and Penid have been charged before the Quezon Office of the Provincial Prosecutor with violation of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act of 2003, as amended by RA 10364, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
“The operation stemmed from an intelligence information received by NBI-LUCDO regarding a beerhouse identified as Jagiya Videoke Bar (Jagiya), allegedly engaged in trafficking in persons,” the NBI said.
“The information was confirmed thru surveillance operation conducted by NBI-LUCDO,” it said.
The NBI said investigators learned that “the said bar is offering their female guest relations officers (GROs) for sexual services in exchange for a fee.”
“The undercover agents also found out that the sexual intercourse will take place at the bar’s VIP room for P2,100,” the NBI also said.
“Moreover, undercover Agents were also offered naked dancing performance in one of the nipa huts of the bar for P2,500,” it added.