BAGUIO CITY
Over a dozen women were rescued from a brothel along a red-light district along lower Bokawkan Road in Baguio City Wednesday night, in a continuing uphill drive by the National Bureau of
Investigation-Cordillera (NBICAR) and anti-trafficking NGO Exodus Road-Philippines versus the lingering human trafficking trade in the city. Fourteen women, mostly natives from the Visayas, were brought by social workers of the Office of the Social Welfare (OCSWDO) of Baguio City for
processing and appropriate intervention after they were confirmed by undercover NBI agents they were being offered to customers for paid sex.
NBI-Cordillera agents counted at least 15 makeshift rooms, at least four of which were makeshift cubicles about 2 meters x 1.5 meters, where the massage and “extra services” are done at the PJ Massage Services and Bar. Lawyer Janet Francisco, NBI-CAR regional director, vowed no let-up in their drive versus human trafficking in Baguio City and the highland region, while attributing the
successes of their continuing operations versus to the untiring efforts of the gallant men and women of the NBI fueled by the dream to end human trafficking in the region and the country.
Earlier, eleven women were also rescued from two massage parlors along Upper Magsaysay Avenue here, around 2 kilometers away from the PJ Massage Services and Bar, also being offered for paid
sex. Exodus Road-Philippines country director Salvador Bartido, who was with the raiding team, thanked the NBI-CAR agents under the leadership of Atty. Francisco “for continuing the fight versus human trafficking in the Cordillera and setting these women free”. He added, “we’re so glad that the women rescued will have a change to start anew.”
The registered owner of the establishment Joel Rellin the NBI-CAR said, though not present during Wednesday night’s raid, will be facing human trafficking charges, while his cashier-manager, a certain “Jess”, although managing to escape during the raid, will likewise face the same criminal charges like the brothel owner.
Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN
February 15, 2025
February 15, 2025
February 15, 2025
February 15, 2025
February 15, 2025
February 15, 2025