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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 3 suspects arrested, a 16-year-old girl rescued from a La Union bar 'engaged in sex trafficking' -- NBI

3 suspects arrested, a 16-year-old girl rescued from a La Union bar 'engaged in sex trafficking' -- NBI

Published Feb 19, 2026 01:27 pm
Three persons have been arrested while a 16-year-old girl has been rescued from a bar that was allegedly engaged in sex trafficking in San Fernando City in La Union.
The names of those arrested and rescued have been withheld by the NBI.
It said the suspects were arrested by the NBI-Ilocos Regional Office (NBI-IRO) in a bar located in Barangay San Francisco in San Fernando City last Feb. 10.
Those arrested were immediately charged with violations of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2002 as amended.
The NBI said the three suspects have been ordered detained by the court at San Fernando City Jail.
It also said the rescued girl has been placed under the care of the City Social Welfare and Development office (CSWD) of San Fernando City.
“The operation was the result of a referral from the CSWD involving two minor victims from Bukidnon who had escaped from a local bar,” the NBI said.
It said that during investigation, it was learned that the victims were recruited to work for a restaurant in Manila but they found themselves in La Union and coerced into working as bar girls.
“Exploiting their vulnerability, the suspects allegedly forced the victims to engage in sexual acts with customers for a fee of ₱1,500 under a ‘bar fine’ arrangement,” it added.
After confirming that another minor remained at the bar, the NBI said its agents immediately conducted an entrapment and rescue operation that led to the arrest of the three suspects and the rescue of the minor victim.
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