JOINT operatives on Monday arrested six suspected human traffickers and rescued 44 women in a raid at a KTV bar in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Among the 44 rescued were four girls, including a minor.
In a report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., a team from the City Anti-Trafficking Task Group –Angeles City Police Office (CATTG- ACPO), together with members of the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO), conducted an entrapment operation at IM KTV Bar in Bgy. Pampang, Angeles City.
The operation was launched after an informant told the Angeles City police that two Korean nationals who own and manage the IM KTV Bar are sexually-exploiting their employees believed to be minors.
A team immediately conducted an entrapment and transacted with the suspects. After handling over the P3,000 marked money mixed with 21 pieces of boodle money to one of the suspects identified as Jayson Lancangan, operatives immediately implemented the arrest.
The two Koreans, Matt Lee and Alex Han, were nabbed after they received the money remitted to them by Lancangan.
Three other suspects identified as Aileen Pineda, Jennifer Mendoza and Preciosa Mahusay who recruited the victims were also arrested.
Police are hunting down Marianne Datu Han, the registered owner of the IM KTV BAR.
According to Hidalgo, the suspects will be charged with violations of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003,as amended by RA 10364 also known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Hidalgo commended the raiding team, saying the series of operations conducted by different police units in the region strongly send a message that the PNP sternly implements its mandate to curb all forms of crimes, including human trafficking.
