Wednesday, March 19, 2008

14 Trafficked Women Rescued in the Philippines

Another arrest, I will follow up with this to see if I can track down an article about the result of the case.

From the Inquirer:


LUCENA CITY, Philippines -- Police have rescued at least 14 women, three of them minors, from the den of a suspected human trafficker said to be a scion of a prominent Chinese family here. A team from the Camp Vicente Lim-based Regional Special Operations Group in Canlubang, assisted by operatives from Lucena police Special Weapons and Tactics, swooped down on a residential house at Pleasantville Subdivision in the village of Ilayang Iyam and rescued the victims.

The raiding team was armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Cesar Mangubang of Regional Trial Court-Branch 22 in Imus, Cavite. Police said the victims were allegedly recruited by one Edward “Al Capone” Sy Bang, owner and operator of G-51 nightclub in the village of Isabang in the nearby town of Tayabas. The suspect, in his late 40s, is a member of a prominent Chinese clan here with various business interests. Sy Bang’s lawyer, Rey Olivier Alejandrino, denied the allegations his client has been involved in human trafficking operations.


Sy Bang’s lawyer, Rey Olivier Alejandrino, denied the allegations his client has been involved in human trafficking operations. “Mr. Sy Bang is a legitimate businessman. He belongs to a respected and well-off family. There is no need for him to engage in illegal activities just to earn money,” Alejandrino said in defense of his client. He said the raid was “illegal” and the search warrant “questionable.”

Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, Police Regional Office 4 regional director, said the suspect will face criminal charges in violation of Republic Act 9208 or Child Abuse Act at Human Trafficking Act 2003. “We received reports on human trafficking activities of the suspect that’s why my men immediately conducted the raid to save the victims,” Padilla told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone.


Last year, Lucena Mayor Ramon Talaga Jr. issued an executive order strengthening the local government capability in combating human trafficking in partnership with non-government organizations.


Read the full article

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous7:43 AM

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