Kringkring vows to lead in prosecution of recruiters of minors
TACLOBAN CIY — Enraged by the recent discovery of trafficked minors working as entertainers in one of the night spots in the city, Sangguniang Panlunsod Floor Leader Cristina Romualdez vowed to lead in the prosecution of whoever had a hand in the recruitment of the supposed minors.
Rescued from a boarding house recently in Sampaguita District, four youthful looking girls with ages ranging from 14 to 16 and another six believed to be in their legal ages, were taken into custody by the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (RCIDG) upon the earlier request of the City Social Welfare Office who was also acting on the tip of an informant.
It came out, that 3 women minors went to the office of the CSWD early morning of Tuesday to report the hiring of women minors as Guest Relation Officers by the management of the Schooner Nite Club.
One of the three girl informants even asked assistance from the welfare office that a pregnant co-worker of theirs still left in the house be immediately rescued, as it could be dangerous for her if their employer happens to know that some of them have already sought assistance over their ordeal.
Informed of the development, Councilor Romualdez rushed to the RCIDU Headquarters where she also briefed the media about the relentless efforts of her office and the City Social Welfare Department regarding the unmasking of human trafficking cases here.
Early this year, a similar rescue operation was conducted on a sing-along joint cum massage parlor in Kalipayan Street, where later authorities also found out that the lady masseurs in the said establishment were also minors.
Asked if it would require her passing of an ordinance to put a stop to this flesh trade, the lady councilor said: “I don’t think we still need to pass more ordinance to this effect as I know that there are already many. All we need to do is just strengthen our surveillance and monitoring coupled with more vigilance on this aspect and maybe in time we can catch up with these violators.”
According to RCIDG Chief Police Supt Leo Quevedo, violation of Republic Act 9208 on Women Trafficking and Republic Act 7610 on Child Abuse may be filed against the owner of the M/V Schooner Nite Club, where the minors were said to be working, and a woman named Lina, aged 55 years old from Caloocan, who was tagged by informants as the handler of the trafficked women.
On initial investigation, however, Lina denied having anything to do with the recruitment of the rescued victims, as she only admitted to being the cook and caretaker of the house from where these women were taken from. (VALENTINO B. LOPEZ)
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