Forty-two young girls were rescued and five employees of a massage parlor were arrested during a raid by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives in Quezon City recently.
The suspects were identified by NBI Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas as Byrone Fule, manager of Grandeur Health Club, and a resident of 53 Torres Bugallon, Sangandaan, Caloocan City; Geneva Vequiso Rollon, cashier, of 8 Scout Ybardolaza Street, Quezon City; Joselyn Franco Medina, cashier, of 36 Scout Torillo, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City; Antonio Samson Nuevo, of 11 Madelaine Street, Quezon City, and Richard Villegao Orpano, of 190 Road 1, Pag-asa, Quezon City, both roomboys.
Rod Silverio, the registered owner of the Grandeur Health Club is at-large.
Investigation conducted by the NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD) under head agent Dante Bonoan showed last April 25, the NBI received a report that Grandeur Health Club, a massage parlor located on Timog Avenue, Quezon City employs minors in its human trafficking business.
Many minors and young women are employed as masseuses but actually engaged in paid sexual trysts with male customers.
A composite team of NBI operatives and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) personnel planned to rescue the victims.
On the evening of May 3, NBI agents proceeded to the health club posing as customers while the rest were positioned in strategic places.
Undercover operatives entered the Grandeur Health Club premises where they were met by a man later identified as Byron Fule. He led the three to what is known as the "Aquarium" where the girls/masseuses in sexy dresses are displayed and chosen.
After choosing their partners, they were asked to pay P800 and P1,000 for the massage service and guided to their respective rooms. For "extra" service or actual sex, another fee of P1,500 is paid.
Moments after, a signal was given by an undercover man, to which agents- "customers" rushed inside the establishment and announced a raid.
Many girls in near nudity with male customers were seen.
Seized were documents of ownership and business permit of the health club, and garbage cans with contraceptive kits.
Forty-two young women, 19 of them minors, were rescued.
In their sworn statements, many of them admitted they offered sexual services to male customers.
Subsequently, the DSWD took custody of the girls rescued.
Charges of violation of Section 4-E and 6 of Republic Act 9208 (Qualified Trafficking in Persons) and Section 5 of RA 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) as amended by RA 9231, and Art. 341 of the Revised Penal Code (White Slave Trade) were filed against the suspects before the Department of Justice.