FIVE females, including a 10-year-old girl, were rescued and two were arrested in an entrapment and rescue operation at a massage clinic reportedly disguised as a prostitution den on Burgos Street, Barangay 23, Tacloban City at 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
THE Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, through the Office of the Women and Children Protection Desk, arrested the owner and cashier of Mega Touch Massage Clinic, after being caught in the act violating the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Based on initial investigation, the massage clinic hires victim attendants as masseuses that offer sexual services to its customers.
The victims were turned over to the City Social Welfare Development Office for their protective custody.
The suspects have undergone medical examination and are now under the custody of Police Station 2-Abucay of the Tacloban City Police Office..
The suspects were charged for violating Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
Police Brigadier General Bernardo Banac, regional director of the PRO-Western Visayas, commended the operating team for the successful operation.
"This is a warning to all that our police officers are working hand-in-hand with other government agencies in suppressing any criminalities and illegalities in their respective places. Also, I am appealing to our parents and their daughters alike to never resort to any illegal activities despite poverty," Banac said. (JGS with PR)