Ledilla Cortez of Capas, Tarlac reported to police last Monday that her 17 year-old niece left for a job interview set in an Angeles City bar but did not return.
Her complaint led to a raid Thursday night on the Sweet Girl Honey Pot night club and the rescue of 42 sex workers, including her missing niece.
Cortez said her niece sent her a text message last May 14 and asked to be rescued because she was being forced to go out with male customers.
The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) arrested five persons, including three foreign nationals, Barry Burston and Raymond Anderson from Australia and Michael Watt of New Zealand. The other suspects are floor managers Judith Pajaron and Rossana Almeira, residents of Mabalacat, Pampanga, the police said.
The raiding team was a composite of agents of the CIDG’s Women and Children Protection Division, led by Superintendent Emma Libunao, and Task Force Maverick.
Libunao said some of the victims come all the way from Biliran, Leyte and Catarman, Samar. She added that charges of human trafficking will be filed against the suspects and the registered owner of the club, Marites Relos. — ELR/VS
