10 KTV bars under police watch

CEBU, Philippines - A ranking police official in Cebu City yesterday assured that more KTV bars will be raided in the days to come as the police intensify its campaign against human trafficking.

Supt. Armando Radoc, Cebu City Police Office deputy city director for operations, said human trafficking is one of their top priorities. Radoc said there are at least 10 KTV bars that are currently under surveillance because of suspicion that they are also employing minors.

“Human trafficking is a long existing problem in the city na gusto natong tagaan ug pagtagad,” Radoc said.

He said the police authority is cooperating with the International Justice Mission to eventually solve this problem. Over the weekend at least 146 bargirls have been rescued by the police from Jaguar KTV bar in Barangay Kasambagan.

Most of the girls were already released except the 28 that are believed to be minors. They are currently under the protective custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Chief Supt. Ager Ontog, director of Police Regional Office-7, meanwhile, admitted that it is quite hard to gather information and evidence on cybersex so they are again urging the people to immediately report to the police anyone they knew operating such unlawful business.

“Mahirap magcollect ng information, so we are urging the community to please coordinate with the police to help us solve this problem,” Ontog said.

Ontog said they are active in the fight against cybersex. He has in fact directed policemen in region 7 to look into possible cybersex dens in their area including human trafficking.

Mayor Michael Rama on the other hand has directed Dr. Lucille Mercado, chairperson of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CAIB), to meet with the other members of CAIB and discuss effective steps to curb cybersex.

The mayor did not discount the possibility that there are cybersex operations in the different barangays of Cebu City. Rama challenged the barangay officials to help fight this illegal operation.

The operators of cybersex dens hire young and beautiful girls to pose naked in front of the camera for a fee ranging from P500 to P1,000. (FREEMAN)