MANILA (UPDATE)—Authorities rescued some 91 Chinese women and 4 Filipino women inside an upscale KTV bar allegedly used as front for prostitution in Yakal Street, Barangay San Antonio, Makati City late Monday night.
Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation also arrested 4 Chinese men and 4 Filipino men suspected of trafficking the victims.
Lawyer Jun Astreto, executive officer NBI's Anti-Fraud Division, said they were tipped off by a Chinese national that the establishment was used as a prostitution front.
The operatives conducted a 2-week surveillance and stormed the bar Monday night after an NBI asset booked a Filipina woman through an online application for P29,000.
Patrons reportedly choose from a lineup of women, who were allegedly being sold for at least P15,000 each.
"They will give you a VIP room, where you can choose the women," Astreto said.
Filipino customers can not also enter the establishment, which has been operating for a year, without a Chinese companion.
"Dahil sa hirap ng buhay... Ano ka lang naman sa guest, sasabayan mo lang silang uminom, ganun lang," one of the victims told ABS-CBN News.
Several used condoms were also found inside the comfort rooms.
Those arrested will face complaints for violating Republic Act 10364, also known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
This is the third incident this month that authorities have rescued several foreign women involved in the sex trade.
On Sept. 4, some 6 Vietnamese women were rescued inside a condominium unit allegedly being used as a sex den in Barangay San Antonio, Makati City.
Two weeks later, police rescued more than 50 Chinese women inside a 3-storey condominium building in Baclaran, Parañaque City.—With reports from Jeffrey Hernaez and Lady Vicencio, ABS-CBN News
Chinese, sex trade, rescue, KTV bar, Makati City, National Bureau of Investigation, NBI