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Philippines

Two minors forced to work as bar attendants rescued, two suspects arrested

Philippines

Two minors forced to work as bar attendants rescued, two suspects arrested

TABUK CITY, Kalinga â€“ Two minors who were forced to work as bar attendants were rescued following the arrest on Saturday, Aug. 27, of the two suspects who allegedly recruited them in Brgy. Appas in this city.

Photo via Zaldy Comanda

BGen. Mafelino Bazar, regional director of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, said the two suspects were identified as Maribeth Rizal Tagatag, 35, and Ber Angnganay Wandagan, 25, both residents of Kalinga.

The two suspects are now facing charges in violation of Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).

According to the Tabuk City Police Station, the mother of the 15-year-old female victim reported to them her missing daughter.

According to the mother, her teenage daughter has been missing since June 31 but on August 27 she received a call from her daughter who informed about her condition and location.

According to her daughter, Tagatag recruited them to work in catering services.

However, when they arrived in Tabuk City, they were surprised to learn that they would be working as bar attendants.

In addition, the suspect Tagatag forced two minor girls to work and engage in sexual activities with their customers while the other suspect Wandagan forced them to use illegal drugs (shabu) which prompted the 15-year-old female to inform her mother.

The Tabuk CPS immediately responded, resulting in the arrest of the suspects and the rescue of the 15-year old victim and her companion, a 17-year-old girl.

The arrested suspects were brought to Tabuk CPS for proper documentation and proper filing of appropriate charges against them while the victims were brought to Kalinga Provincial Hospital for medical and physical examination.

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