The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Monday that customers released during a recent raid on a KTV bar in Pasig City could still be charged if further investigation yields sufficient evidence.
In a statement, the NBI clarified that the operation targeting Chicago Family KTV was carried out in accordance with legal procedures and in coordination with other government agencies.
It explained that individuals initially believed to have no role in the alleged illegal activities were freed after proper identification and processing, without prejudice to the possible filing of charges should proof later emerge.
The bureau said this approach was in line with constitutional protections against detention without probable cause.
Citing Department of Justice Circular 20, the NBI said its priority was to establish liability among operators and traffickers while ensuring that victims were protected.
Authorities added that more complaints were being prepared against other individuals and entities linked to the establishment’s operations.
The NBI stressed that the case remained ongoing and that additional charges would be filed in the coming days in coordination with the Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, with the aim of building strong cases for prosecution.
Operatives raided the KTV bar on April 21 and rescued 54 women suspected to be victims of trafficking, while charges have already been filed against alleged operators, including relatives of former lawmaker Mike Defensor, whose wife Julie Defensor denied the accusations and described them as part of an orchestrated smear campaign.