Bar operators charged for exploiting minors

SHE was hired as a bar girl to entertain customers of a KTV bar in Ubay town, northeastern Bohol.

But 16-year-old Mia (not her real name) was also good for “take out” by customers who pay her P1,500 for sex.

Mia, a native of Bohol, and seven young Cebuanas were rescued by operatives of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RATF) last Oct. 21.

Four persons were arrested for allegedly exploiting the minors aged 15 to 17.

Charges of qualified trafficking were recently filed against the accused’s live-in partner, their “trustee,” and the cashier before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City.

No bail was recommended.

In his resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Alex Gabud found probable cause to indict the accused who anchored their defense on mere denials.

“Denial as a defense cannot overthrow the positive allegations and identification made by the arresting officers and so with the victims,” Gabud said.

The four accused moved for the dismissal of the case since the complaint was filed in Cebu when the incident happened in Bohol or outside the jurisdiction of the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office.

Gabud denied the request saying their claim “does not hold water.”

“Some of the GROs employed for sex work by the respondents were hired/recruited in Cebu City,” he said.

Section 9 of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 stated that “a criminal action arising from violation of this act shall be filed where the offense was committed.” Last Oct. 21, the RATF conducted an entrapment operation in barangay Casate, Ubay town, in Bohol.

Surveillance operations were earlier made by law enforcers to confirm the alleged sexual exploitation of minors inside a KTV bar in the place.

The bar is owned by the live-in partners who allegedly allowed customers to have sex with their minor employees.

The eight girls were rescued and turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7).

They executed their respective affidavits and categorically stated that they were made to work as GROs and the owners allow their customers who are willing to pay a bar fine to take the girls out.

The four accused denied the allegations. In their joint counter-affidavit, they said they don’t allow minors to be brought out for sex with customers. They also denied recruiting the victims.

A person found guilty of qualified trafficking faces life imprisonment and a fine of P2 million to P5 million. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol