KALIBO, Aklan – A tricycle driver accused of prostituting minor girls was arrested in an entrapment operation in this capital town.
Teddy Balondo, 26, of Barangay New Buswang was caught in a lodging house on Oyo Torong Street, Barangay Poblacion at around 3 p.m. on Monday.
Police rescued two minor girls from Balondo, who was driving a “colorum” (unregistered) tricycle driver.
During the entrapment, Balondo received a P4,000 marked money from “Ian,” a police asset, as payment in exchange for the two minors.
Balondo admitted to referring girls to clients in exchange for cash.
“Pag may naghahanap, binibigyan ko sila ng babae. Pang-gasolina at pagtagay-tagay natin ang komisyon,” he said.
Balondo was detained at the Kalibo police station’s lockup cell while the minors were referred to the police’s Women and Children Protection Desk.
“Itong si Ian ay palaging tumatawag at nagtitext sa akin dahil kailangan niya ang mga babae para sa kanyang bisita. Habang dito ako sa Oyo Torong nag-istambay, hinanap niya ako at ang mga kaibigang babae,” Balondo said, describing what happened during the entrapment.
Balondo said he got the minor girls from the municipality of Malinao and brought them to a lodging house where would meet “Ian” and his supposed friends from Malay.
“Pagdating namin doon, pumunta siya sa itaas ng lodge at pagbalik niya binigay niya ang pera sa akin. Mamaya may dumating na sasakyan. Dinumog at inaresto ako ng mga pulis na naka-civilian,” he said.
The suspect faces charges for violation of Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
