‘Wellness spa’ bust in Las Piñas: 8 alleged trafficking victims rescued
Authorities raid a “wellness spa” in Barangay Pamplona, Las Piñas City, on November 30, 2023, leading to the rescue of eight people and the arrest of two suspects. Photo from the Southern Police District
MANILA, Philippines — Police have rescued eight people and arrested two others during a sting operation in a “wellness spa” in Las Piñas City.
The Southern Police District (SPD) said operatives raided the spa Thursday on a tip that the establishment in Barangay Pamplona was a front for prostitution.
Eight people, whose names were withheld by authorities, were rescued.
Two persons named only “Mary” and “Fred” were arrested and accused of being involved in the trafficking of the victims who were rescued.
Authorities said a complaint had been filed against the suspects and the spa owner, who remains at large.
Police said the items seized during the operation, including a used condom, three logbooks detailing therapist-customer interactions, and marked money used in the sting, among others, shed light on the alleged illegal activities in the spa.
Police also confiscated a whiteboard showing the aliases of therapists, a plastic container containing 20 individual boxes of condoms, calling cards bearing the name of the wellness spa, and a plastic basin with a towel.
The rescued victims were placed under the care of the government’s social welfare department.
The SPD said the entrapment sting was launched jointly by their Special Operations Unit, Women and Children’s Concern Section, Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, District Mobile Force Batallion, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region.
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