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3 men arrested, 9 women rescued from bar 'engaged in sex trafficking'

Philippines | National

3 men arrested, 9 women rescued from bar 'engaged in sex trafficking'

By Jeffrey Damicog

National Bureau of Investigation (2)

Three men were arrested and nine women were rescued from a bar allegedly engaged in sex trafficking in Urdaneta City in Pangasinan, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday, Oct. 21.

In a statement, the NBI identified those arrested as Edwin D. Ceniza, Asterio Campos Paris Jr., and Arnold Belen Martinez.

It said the suspects were arrested last Oct. 12 during an entrapment operation conducted by agents of the NBI Ilocos Regional Office (NBI-IRO) at the establishment it identified as Gravity resto bar.

“The operation likewise resulted in the rescue of nine (9) women,” it also said.

Those arrested were presented for inquest proceedings before the Urdaneta City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The NBI said “the operation stemmed from a letter complaint of concerned women of Pangasinan seeking assistance to stop the prostitution activities of ‘Gravity,’ a resto bar located at McArthur Highway, Barangay Nancayasan, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan owned by Subject Edwin D. Ceniza,” the NBI said.

“Accordingly, ‘Gravity’ was being maintained and operated as a brothel where adult female guest relations officers (GROs) were recruited and maintained, and allegedly, juveniles were exploited as ‘fille de joie’ (prostitute),” it said.

It said NBI-IRO conducted surveillance operations and “confirmed that Gravity Resto Bar was catering ‘sex for sale.’”

“Having confirmed that human trafficking was being committed, NBI-IRO operatives hatched an entrapment operation,” it added.

TAGS: #NBI #Sex trafficking

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