National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Central Visayas regional director Renan Oliva (from left) and NBI-Mandaue City field office director Arnel Pura. (Photo courtesy of Labella Cares FB)
CEBU CITY – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will monitor massage parlors engaged in human trafficking now that Metro Cebu has relaxed quarantine restrictions, an official said on Tuesday.
This, as the NBI field office in Mandaue City arrested three personalities after a simultaneous counter-human trafficking operation in two massage parlors along H. Cortes Street in the said city which also led to the rescue of 20 female therapists.
Arnel Pura, NBI director for Mandaue City office, said in a news conference that their central office has specific instructions to place possible hotbeds of human trafficking in Metro Cebu under surveillance.
“Human trafficking is one of the primary jurisdictions where the NBI can conduct investigation and operation. In line with this mandate, Central Visayas regional office and Cebu district office agents and operatives conducted a counter-human trafficking operation last February 24, involving operations of two massage parlors,” Pura said.
According to the report, the two establishments were employing female therapists but subsequent investigations found out that the place was for prostitution.
“They operate as massage parlors but in disguise as they are actually a prostitution den where victim attendants were being offered for sexual activity in exchange for money,” he added.
The agents also found that the two establishments collected PHP1,700 as a fee for the services of one attendant which, Pura said, is way beyond the ordinary massage fee of PHP300 to PHP500.
Pura said they already identified the owners of the two massage parlors. They are now placed under investigation for possible filing of cases in violation of Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
The rescued therapists aged 20 to 30 are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) in Central Visayas field office facility for women. (PNA)
