Rama won’t close bars, despite trafficking cases

FOR now, the Cebu City government will have to allow the continued operations of two nightclubs which police raided last week for human trafficking.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he was told during a meeting which he called with CAIB, City Liquor Licensing Commission, the Cebu City Inter-Agency Task Force (CCIACAT) and city police director Senior Supt. Noli Romana on Wednesday afternoon that Pussycats and Club Temptation are operating and have not violated any local ordinance.

Rama said a clarification was also raised during their meeting that the Saturday night raid did not include minors. “So unsa pa may i-close namo?” he said. (What is left for us to close?)

He, however, warned the operators of the two nightclubs to abide by city government regulations in their operations because city hall will continue monitoring them.

But the City Prosecutors Office found probable cause to file large-scale human trafficking cases against six suspected pimps who were arrested after 43 women were rescued last Saturday.

Large-scale human trafficking is committed when three or more people conspire to commit human trafficking. It is a non-bailable offense.

Assistant City Prosecutor Aida Sanchez said they have sufficient evidence to prove that the rescued women’s services were bought by customers who paid P2,000 to P5,000. Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 considers promoting prostitution as human trafficking.