Human trafficking case vs Defensor, others filed before Pasig court

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday filed qualified human trafficking charges against former Rep. Mike Defensor and others before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office.

The case stemmed from allegedly being connected to a KTV bar and hotel where human trafficking activities against over 50 women supposedly took place.

Aside from Defensor, also served as respondents to the case are the former congressman’s wife Julie, their daughter Michaela, and other individuals allegedly connected to the Chicago KTV bar and Bleu Hotel.

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NBI agents arrived at the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office around 2 p.m. to file the qualified human trafficking case, which is a nonbailable offense.

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READ: Matibag: Human trafficking evidence vs. Defensor ‘strong’

It was on Wednesday when NBI Director Melvin Matibag announced the filing of the case against Defensor, asserting that he knew about the supposed sexual exploitation activities happening in the Chicago KTV bar and Bleu Hotel.

Matibag pointed out Defensor’s chairmanship at the Cliffpoint Development Corp., which operates Cliffpoint Square, the compound where the Chicago KTV bar and Bleu Hotel are located.

He also said that Defensor approved the supposed secret structure changes at the building to “perpetrate human trafficking activities.”

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Matibag also said the former congressman’s wife is the president of Cliffpoint and their daughter, Michaela, is the corporate secretary.

Defensor has since denied the human trafficking allegations.

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He argued that there is “no truth” that they were involved in any sexual exploitation activities and called it “politically motivated.”

The former congressman said he is ready to face the charges that will be filed against him.

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Last April 21, the NBI raided the KTV bar over alleged sexual exploitation involving more than 50 women victims who were supposedly made to work as “customer care assistants” in exchange for a fee of around P15,000. /mr