2 teens forced into sex work in Tabuk City rescued, suspects charged

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Cordillera police have rescued two minors and arrested two suspects over the weekend in Barangay Appas, Tabuk City.

One of the suspects allegedly forced the two teen girls into sex work while the other one got them involved into illegal drugs.

Police Regional Office – Cordillera named the suspects as Maribeth Rizal Tagatag, 35, and Ber Angnganay Wandagan, 25.

The arrest of the suspects came after Tabuk City police were informed by one of the victim’s mother regarding her missing daughter.

Based on the mother’s account, her 15-year-old daughter has been missing since June 31.

It was only on August 27 that she was informed by her daughter on her whereabouts and her condition through a phone call.

Her daughter narrated that they were recruited by Tagatag to work in catering services.

However, when they arrived in Tabuk City, they were asked to work as bar attendants.

The victims were likewise forced by the said suspect to be involved in sexual activities with customers.

Apart from this, the daughter added that Wandagan – the other suspect forced them to try taking illegal drugs, (shabu) prompting the minor to inform her mother.

After learning of the incident, Tabuk City police immediately responded resulting in the arrest of the two suspects and the rescue of the 17-year-old and 15-year-old girls.

The suspects were then brought to Tabuk CPS and are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).

The victims, meantime, were ferried to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital for medical and physical examination.

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