NBI files human trafficking raps vs Defensors, others

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation has filed a complaint for qualified human trafficking against former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and his wife, Julie Defensor, using a bar and a hotel they allegedly owned in Pasig City in sexually exploiting women.

The complaint filed on Friday at the city prosecutor’s office followed the NBI raid conducted April 21 on Chicago KTV Bar and Bleu Hotel, where more than 50 women were allegedly being exploited.

The NBI said it placed the bar and the hotel under investigation starting April 7 based on a tip from a confidential informant about the activities inside the two establishments.

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Defensor and his wife are facing the nonbailable charge for allegedly being the chair and president, respectively, of Cliffpoint Development Corp., that company that operates Cliffpoint Square, the compound where the Chicago KTV bar and Bleu Hotel are located.

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READ: Pasig gov’t closes hotel for trafficking, sex work

The NBI complaint also included the couple’s daughter, Michaela, for being the corporate secretary of Cliffpoint, as well as two directors and the treasurer of the company.

Also included was their son, Miguel Gabriel, as corporate treasurer of Zerrin Development Corp., which operates the Bleu Hotel.

The bureau also lodged human trafficking charges against Wack Wack Golf and Country Club president Lawrence Tan, who NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier said was caught inside the Chicago KTV bar during the NBI raid.

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

On June 24, Matibag announced the legal action being taken against Mike Defensor, saying that as Cliffpoint’s chairperson, the former lawmaker was well aware of the sexual exploitation of women taking place at the bar and the hotel.

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The NBI chief also alleged that, with Defensor’s approval, undisclosed structural changes were made in the establishments to “perpetrate human trafficking activities.”

Defensor has repeatedly denied the charges, saying the NBI allegations were “politically motivated.”

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He said they were in retaliation for his continuing criticism of President Marcos and for his “handling” of the 18 men who recently came out to claim they had delivered bags of cash as public works kickbacks for certain lawmakers and political figures. /cb