14 rescued from 5 ‘human traffickers’ in Angeles City

Human Trafficking. Torn pieces of paper with the words Human Trafficking. File Photo

ANGELES CITY—Policemen arrested five persons for alleged human trafficking during separate operations last week, the Central Luzon police disclosed on July 23.

In a statement, Police Regional Office 3 director Brigadier General Matthew Baccay said the entrapment operations on July 21 in the red-light district of this city also resulted in the rescue of 14 victims.

Baccay said suspected pimps Maritess Dela Pena, 56, and Beverly Tangcoman, 34, were arrested at Club 123 on Walking Street of Fields Avenue in Balibago village, while Minjae Yim, 38, Arelida Canete, 40, and Daisy Ranola, 35, were arrested inside Bacarra Bar, located in the same area.

Two victims were rescued from Club 123 and 12 from Bacarra Bar.

Baccay said the Regional Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Group 3, the Angeles City Police Station 4, Regional Maritime Unit 3, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3 conducted the operations.

Representatives of the city social welfare and development office and the Department of Labor and Employment Region 3 witnessed the operations.

The suspects face charges for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. INQ

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