A GIRL was rescued by authorities while two suspected child traffickers were arrested after an entrapment operation on July 25 at Luna Extension corner Rizal Ave., Digos City.
The girl, 17, was allegedly engaged in prostitution. Her pimps, identified as Pablo, 45, a resident of Purok 6, Barongoy, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, and Elinita, 38, resident of Curvada, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, were arrested.
The suspects have been charged for violating the Anti-Child Abuse Law and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
The victim is undergoing debriefing by the CSWDO.
Authorities conducted surveillance after information was relayed to their office about the suspects acting as pimps for the girl.
“The operation stemmed from the information given by a concerned citizen on alleged rampant prostitution at the place wherein female minors were pimped by the suspects to their customers and offered sexual intercourse in exchange for money,” police report said.
Police monitored the suspects and conducted an entrapment operation.
The entrapment was carried out at around 10 p.m. on July 25 by elements of Provincial Investigation Branch-Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office (PIB-DSPPO), personnel from the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), investigator from Digos City Police Station (DCPS), together with Digos City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO).
The transaction started at Bebs Bakeshop at Luna Ext. corner Rizal Ave., Digos City. The suspects brought the victim to Morning Star Lodging Hauz along Lopez Jaena Street, Barangay Zone II, Digos City to offer the victim to the poseur customer.
Recovered from the possession and control of the suspects were P1,000 marked money, one unit Honda wave 110 color black motorcycle bearing plate number 4075 QK, and one unit Sunrise motorcycle.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office (PRO) Davao Director Marcelo Morales warned traffickers to stop their illegal activities as he vowed to continue their operation to end child trafficking in the region.
"We are sending a strong message that we are determined to put a stop to this grievous exploitation of our children,” he said. JCR