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10 women rescued from human traffickers in Iloilo City

By Gail Momblan

October 26, 2019, 5:57 pm

<p><strong>RESCUED.</strong> Operatives from the CIDG Iloilo City rescue 10 women from human traffickers in an operation in Mabolo village on Friday night (Oct. 25, 2018). Charges were filed against the two alleged pimps who are placed under police custody. <em>(Photo courtesy of CIDG 6)</em></p>

RESCUED. Operatives from the CIDG Iloilo City rescue 10 women from human traffickers in an operation in Mabolo village on Friday night (Oct. 25, 2018). Charges were filed against the two alleged pimps who are placed under police custody. (Photo courtesy of CIDG 6)

ILOILO CITY -- Authorities rescued a total of 10 women from human traffickers in this city late Friday.

In a phone interview Saturday, Maj. James Allen Dogao, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) - Iloilo City field unit chief, said the women, with ages ranging from 22 to 32 years old, were allegedly being pimped for PHP1,500.

“The information of the alleged prostitution has reached us, which prompted our team to operate in Mabolo village, Delgado,” he said.

Dogao described the modus as a “take out scheme”, where clients are being approached by alleged pimps “and make them choose who will be their partner for the night”.

Two alleged pimps-- Jimmy Cuarte, 56, of Cabatuan, Iloilo; and Ramil Dequiña, 24, of Iloilo City-- were nabbed in the operation.

The suspects are charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) 9208 as amended by RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

Dogao said the CIDG will further probe human trafficking in this city as he said the transaction of this illegal business might be “organized.”

“This group might be organized, and they follow a hierarchy. In our assessment, those who were arrested were in the middle to (the) higher point (of the hierarchy),” he said.

He said there will be more women who need rescuing as one of the victims claimed that there are still “others who were sent to Bacolod because there is an event.”

“We will also investigate if the transaction here is connected (to) Bacolod (trafficking ring),” Dogao said.

The filing of charges against the suspects must serve as a call for those who continue their involvement in the illegal business to stop.

Women who are in prostitution are advised to leave their illegal activities because the government is ready to provide them with a legal livelihood.

“They can avail the services of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment for training,” he said.

The rescued women are currently under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in this city while the suspects are placed in the custody of CIDG-Iloilo City. (PNA)

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