By Bohol Chronicle
A three-storey pension house in barangay Dampas this city tagged by the police as a prostitution den was raided past 11 o'clock last night by operatives from the Regional Police Intelligence Unit based in Camp Sergio Osmena, Cebu City.
Eight suspected victims on human trafficking were rounded up while the owner Wilma Epe, 43 and her cashier were nabbed during the raid.
Major Romeo Santander, head of the raiding team told the Chronicle that the Epe couple was placed under surveillance after two lady victims "escaped" from the den to report the matter to operatives in Cebu City. The raid was backed up with a Search Warrant issued by Cebu Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes.
The raid by Cebu operatives confirmed that the operation of the said pension house is under the protection of a top city hall official, thus, no raid was ever conducted by the city PNP since the pension house started to operate as pick-up point for male customers, including foreigners.
Seized during the raid were 15 live bullets of .38 caliber pistol, P265,000 cash and assorted jewelries worth no less than P100,000.
The raid was conducted by 19 Cebu operatives working under the Regional Anti-Human Traficking Task Force accompanied by PInsp. Ma. Theresa Macatanggay, Stella Pueblos, of Cebu Social Welfare office and lawyer Luna.
The Epe couple will be formally charged for violation of RA 9208 on human trafficking act.
The crime on human trafficking is non-bailable while its penalty is life imprisonment. (With reports from Ceil Remolador)
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