Cops rescue 10 minors from Ecija traffickers

By George Trillo

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Nueva Ecija police operatives rescued 10 minors allegedly forced to work at a bar in Muñoz and arrested five people responsible for recruiting them, police reported Tuesday.

Chief Supt. Arturo G. Cacdac Jr., Central Luzon police director commended the Nueva Ecija Police Office for the operation that neutralized the suspected human trafficking gang in Central Luzon.

Arrested were Elpidio del Valle, alias “Pidiong,” 53 and Pablito D. dela Cruz, 23, both of Muñoz City; Charlene C. Campus, 22 of Fairview, Quezon City; Justin C. Pineda and Wendy Pajardo, 22, both of Caloocan City.

The rescued minors – five girls, aged 15 to 17, and five boys, aged 17 to 18 – were all recruited from Caloocan City and told police they were lured into working for good pay.
Some of them said they did not expect to work as entertainers of male customers at a disco pub.

Supt. Edgar Allan Okubo, Muñoz City police chief, said the five suspects will be charged with violating Republic Act 9208 or “Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act of 2003.”