CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) – -Authorities rescued two female minors who were allegedly recruited to work in catering services but ended as bar attendants and forced to use illegal drugs (shabu).
Tabuk City Police Station reported that the rescued victims are aged 15 and 17, and were found working in a bar in the city last August 27.
Police report showed that the mother of the 15-year-old victim went to Tabuk CPS on Aug. 27 to report that received a call from her daughter, who was missing since June 30, 2022, informing about her condition and location.
The Tabuk CPS immediately responded resulting in the arrest of suspects Maribeth Rizal Tagatag, 35. and Ber Angnganay Wandagan, 25, both residents of Appas, Tabuk City.
According to a police report, suspect Tagatag forced the two female minors to work and get involved in sexual activities with their customers while suspect Wandagan forced them to use shabu.
The suspects were charged for violation of Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
The two victims were brought to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital for medical and physical examination and were turned over to the Social Welfare and Development Office.
Tabuk City Police Station’s stepping up its anti-criminality campaign in support of the PNP’s Peace and Security Framework “MKK=K” (Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan, and Kaunlaran) resulted to the successful arrest of criminals. **JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga
