CIDG uncovers ‘sex flea market’ in Nasugbu, Batangas

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MANILA, Philippines—A modus operandi in the form of “tiangge” (flea market) has been discovered in Batangas as one of the newest means to sell women to prostitution, Superintendent Emma Libunao, chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Women and Children Protection Division, said Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Libunao said a “sex tiangge” was discovered in Nasugbu, Batangas, following an operation two weeks ago where 26 women and two minor sex workers were rescued.

She said part of the transaction in the sex tiangge even includd a “package deal” in which the price will cover both the prostitute and the motel where they will be checked in.

Asked for particular areas where prostitution is rampant, Libunao said: “In places where tourists flock you will find these traffickers.”

Last year, Libunao said they have launched 17 anti-human trafficking operations and rescued roughly 500 victims.

“More or less 45 suspects have been filed with appropriate charges,” she said, adding that some of them were foreigners.

Libunao said that while poverty is commonly given by some victims as reason for turning into prostitution , some of  the rescued “college girls” who were flaunting top-of-the-line Blackberry and iPhone cell phones have other issues.

This year, Libunao said they have conducted five operations and will concentrate on the National Capital Region.

Libunao also said that just from January to June 30, 2012, her office has handled over 600 complaints and have filed 100 cases, of which include child abuse, human trafficking and other special laws.

Many walk-in complainants, she said, were the victims themselves, and sometimes the parents or their guardians. Jamie Marie Elona