5 Minors Rescued By The Police From Bars In Abatan, Buguias

The barangay of Abatan in the town of Buguias in Benguet is once again in the limelight but for the wrong reasons after 5 minors were rescued from two different bars in the area. Under Philippine laws, people under 18 years of age are not supposed to work in night spots that offer alcoholic beverages.

Sun Star Baguio reported that on March 12, 2015, elements of the Buguias Municipal Police Station and personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducted raids in several night establishments in Abatan which led to the rescue of the five minors.

Those rescued were reportedly working in two establishments which were identified as Sagadanians' Place and Lyn's Videoke Bar. According to the Sun Star report, these two bars are being managed by Debra Limmayog and Chrislyn Maddawat, respectively.

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The raids are part of the Philippine National Police's campaigns dubbed Oplan Sagip Angel and Oplan Nena. The former's goal is to protect minors from abuse, maltreatment and exploitation. The latter protects minors from vagrancy, prostitution, and indecent entertainment shows.

It can be recalled that last year, nearly two dozen girls were rescued from night establishments in Abatan. Most of them were below 18 years of age.

Many women who work in bars in the area are often referred to as kandong girls or saksaklot girls in the local vernacular. The rise of night spots in the region can be attributed to the fact that the place is the center for commerce in the province. It's a place of convergence for vegetable traders, miners, businessmen, and those working in the trucking industry. Through the years, joints offering liquor and entertainment sprouted in the region.