Couple arrested in Mandaue bar raid

THREE persons were arrested and 17 dancers were rescued when police raided a bar in barangay Guizo, Mandaue City last Thursday night.

 
Arrested were couple George and Liza Mendazano, owners of Liza Pub, and floor manager Maria Maloloy-on Canedo.

 
The raid was conducted by members of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and International Justice Mission (IJM).

 
During the raid, a policeman posed as a customer.

 
The policeman transacted with Canedo if he could bring a woman outside the bar.

 
Police said the poseur customer paid Canedo P1,500 as bar fine.

 
Police said Canedo gave the money to Liza.

 
Police implemented the arrest when Liza handed the money to her husband.

 
The dancers were turned over to social workers. They said the were forced to work in the bar out of poverty.

 
The couple and the floor manager refused to comment on their arrests./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON