Anti-sex trafficking operation in Lapu-Lapu: 3 girls rescued

CEBU, Philippines - Three minors were rescued while a 22-year-old man was arrested late last Friday night at a bar in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City during an anti-sex trafficking operation.

Police arrested Jojo Andrino Sanchez, a resident of Mandaue City, for allegedly pimping the three girls to police decoys.

The operation was carried out jointly by personnel of the intelligence branch of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and the Gun-ob Police Station 3 led by Senior Insp. Aldrin Villacampa.

PO2 Maria Filipina Branzuela of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Gun-ob Police said the girls did not know they were being pimped.

Branzuela said Sanchez reportedly told the girls they were going to a dance party, which was why the girls were reportedly surprised when a man had met them at the bar.

“Wala sila nag-expect kay ang ingon sa ilaha, mang-disco ra sa Lapu-Lapu,” Branzuela said.

One of the three girls is 14 years old while the other two are 17 years old.

“Ang usa ka 17, taga-Compostela, ang laing 17 years old kay taga-Consolacion,” Branzuela said. The third is from Mandaue City.

Sanchez admitted pimping the girls but denied knowing they were minors.

“Sayop nako. Wala ko maanad ani, nakasuon ko ani sa akong mga amiga. Ingun sila nag 18 na sila,” he said.

Sanchez is a homosexual who goes by the name “Carla.”

He said he met the girls at around 9 p.m. at a bar along A.S Fortuna in Mandaue City after a “guest” sent him a text message that his friends were looking for women. The “guest” turned out to be one of the police decoys.

“Pag September pa man ko nagsugod ani tungod sa kalisod,” Sanchez said.

Branzuela said they placed Sanchez under surveillance for two months before hatching the operation. He will be charged for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Trafficking is a non-bailable offense.

“If convicted siya, 20-24 years to reclusion perpetua or life sentence. Depende na sa korte kung naay damages,” she said.

The girls are now under the custody of Lapu-Lapu City’s Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Last week, a 38-year-old woman was served with an arrest warrant in Sitio Marbeach, Barangay Marigondon by personnel of Marigondon Police Station 3 after being involved in a trafficking case in 2012.

Rosalie Brown reportedly targets minors and legal-aged women within the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.

She is currently detained at the LCPO- Holding cell and is facing charges for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.  — /JMO (FREEMAN)