NBI arrests 4 'sex traffickers,' rescues 45 'victims' in Angeles City
Four persons were arrested while 45 individuals were rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from an entertainment bar allegedly engaged in sex trafficking in Angeles City, Pampanga.
In a statement, the NBI identified those arrested as Reden Roa, John Parro, Shirly Calilong, and Marilyn Ferrer.
They were apprehended during an operation conducted by the NBI- Bataan District Office (NBI-BATADO) against the Field Sensation's Bar last June 1, it also said.
It added that those arrested were responsible for managing, recruiting, and facilitating the sex trafficking scheme.
Of the 45 rescued, the NBI said that 13 of them were minors.
It said the operation was conducted based on the referral it received from the non-government organization (NGO) Destiny Rescue Pilipinas, Incorporated concerning the sex trafficking activities at the entertainment bar.
Based on its surveillance, the NBI said that female entertainers were being offered to customers for sexual services under the guise of ‘barfine’ transactions with rates ranging from P5,000 to P10,000.
Those arrested have been charged with violations of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended, while those rescued have turned over the social welfare agency for care and counseling, it added.