Gelukkig zijn ze "gered"

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MANILA — Three Russians and three Ukrainians were rescued from a Pasay City club allegedly involved in prostitution, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.

NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division agents raided Starwood VIP Lounge before dawn Wednesday and rescued the six foreigners and 13 Filipinas.

NBI agents said the foreign nationals were issued with working visas. They are now coordinating with the Russian and Ukrainian embassies in the Philippines regarding the foreign nationals' rescue.

The 13 Filipinas, meanwhile, were turned over to social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for counseling.

The DSWD said the 19 females are considered victims of human trafficking.

Club employees, who insisted that the club was not involved in any illegal activities, were also arrested.

NBI agents said the females were being paid by at least P1,500 per nude lap dance. Customers who may want to bring a dancer inside a VIP room will have to pay at least P8,000.

They said the club was formerly located in Makati. — report from Francis Faulve, ABS-CBN News