TABUK CITY, Kalinga August 30 – Two persons were arrested by combined police operatives because of alleged charges of anti-human trafficking in persons at barangay Appas here, Monday.
Police Brig. Gen. Mafelino Bazar, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, identified the arrested suspects as Maribeth Rizal Tagatag, 35, and Ber Angnganay Wandagan, 25, both residents of Kalinga.
According to Tabuk City Police Station (CPS), the mother of the 15-year-old female victim personally came to Tabuk CPS to report an incident of Violation of Republic Act (RA) 9208 as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) that transpired in barangay Appas.
The mother of the 15-year-old victim disclosed, that her daughter was missing since June 30, 2022. While, on August 27, 2022, the mother received a call from her missing daughter, informing her about the latter’s condition and location.
According to her daughter, they were recruited by Maribeth Rizal Tagatag to work in catering services. However, when they arrived in Tabuk City, they were surprised to know that they will be working as bar attendants.
Moreover, suspect Tagatag forced the two female minors to work and be involved in sexual activities with their customers while suspect Wandagan forced them to use illegal drugs (shabu) which prompted the 15-year-old female minor to inform her mother.
Tabuk CPS responded immediately which resulted in the arrest of the suspects, Tagatag & Wandagan, and the rescue of the 17-year-old female minor and a 15-year-old female minor.
The arrested suspects were brought to Tabuk CPS for proper documentation and proper filing of appropriate charges against them while suspects were brought to Kalinga Provincial Hospital for medical and physical examination.
