Stardust Bar Managers Convicted, Sign of Sweeping Change in Philippines | International Justice Mission shield arrow-simple-alt-top arrow-simple-alt-left arrow-simple-alt-right arrow-simple-alt-bottom facebook instagram linkedin medium pinterest rss search-alt twitter x video-play arrow-long-right arrow-long-left arrow-long-top arrow-long-bottom arrow-simple-right arrow-simple-left arrow-simple-bottom readio arrow-simple-top speaker-down plus minus cloud hb pin camera globe cart rotate star edit arrow-top arrow-right arrow-left arrow-bottom check search close square speaker-up speaker-mute return play pause love

Stardust Bar Managers Convicted, Sign of Sweeping Change in Philippines

Three traffickers who ran a large bar that was once viewed as untouchable were convicted yesterday in the Philippines. Stardust Showbar is at the heart of one of Metro Manila’s busiest districts, flanked by high-rise skyscrapers and high-end hotels. By day the area is bustling with businessmen and women, by night the neon lights turn on to reveal a red-light area.

Eight months ago, IJM helped the National Bureau of Investigation to rescue 13 young women, including two minors, who had been trafficked to this bar. In February of this year, authorities boarded up the bar’s entrance and nailed a giant sign over the door that declares Stardust Bar had been ordered closed for exploiting minors.

A trial against three of the main suspects ended with convictions on July 19, 2016. They were fined and sentenced to life imprisonment under the qualified anti-trafficking act, with additional charges under a child labor law.

“I never imagined Stardust Showbar could be closed down, let alone that I might see the managers convicted. I feel like I saw history unfold before my own eyes today,” said Sam Inocencio, IJM National Director in the Philippines.

The presentation of evidence ended in just three months. Historically, human trafficking cases in the Philippines have taken four to seven years to come to completion. The trial was part of a pilot program being tested out in Manila, wherein courts are required to schedule hearings close together.

“The speed of the decision is significant for the freedom that it brings to the survivors, giving them the closure they need and justice they deserve to heal quickly,” said IJM attorney Alexandrino Mallillin, who supported the two public prosecutors who actively prosecuted the case against the Stardust Bar floor managers. He commended Judge Cristina F. Javalera-Sulit for strictly adhering to the special rules on holding continuous trials in child trafficking cases.

This case is emblematic of a bigger change sweeping across the Philippines. In June, the U.S. State Department ranked the Philippines as a “Tier 1” country for the first time in the annual Trafficking in Persons report that grades governments on their efforts to combat trafficking. The message is clear: Philippine authorities will not tolerate businesses that exploit children, and traffickers will face consequences.

Become a Freedom Partner so IJM can send lawyers to represent survivors of violence >>

You might also be interested in…

see more

Media Contact

We're here to answer your questions. Please fill out the form below and someone from our team will follow up with you soon.

More Information

Petra Kooman

Director of Marketing and Public Relations
pkooman@ijm.ca
519.679.5030 x.229

Make an Impact

Your skills, talents, and ideas are a force for change. From birthday parties to polar dips, your fundraising campaign can stop the violence.

Learn More

Thank you for signing up to learn more about starting a fundraiser. We will be in touch soon!

In the meantime, please take a look at our free guide: 25 Tips for the Novice Fundraiser.

Need Help?

Need more information?
We're here to help.
Contact us at events@ijm.ca

Test

Test