Stand-up comic nabbed for human trafficking raps

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

THIS is no laughing matter.

A stand-up comedian who allegedly doubles as a pimp was arrested in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan late afternoon of September 9, 2019.

Richard Sausa, 42, a native of Barangay Tanza, City Proper, Iloilo City, was arrested as he was about to enter Boracay Island at Tabon Port in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan around 5:30 p.m. of Monday.

Sausa, who was temporarily staying at Sitio Tulubhan, Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Boracay, was arrested for qualified human trafficking charges.

Kalibo, Aklan Regional Trial Court Judge Bienvenido Barrios Jr. issued the arrest warrant on Aug. 28, 2019. Sausa was not allowed to post bail for his temporary liberty.

Police Major Jess Baylon, Malay police chief, said Sausa was one of the six pimps arrested in Boracay Island’s anti-prostitution campaign on April 13, 2019.

His co-accused, Kevin Martin, was arrested six days ago in Boracay Island.

Sausa, Martin, and four others were accused for pimping women to local and foreign tourists.

Operatives from the Malay Police Station, together with personnel from the Aklan Port-based Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (APBAHT TF), Malay Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, 2nd Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and 605th Maritime Police Station, collared the suspects after a raid on four establishments.

The establishments were closed for allegedly running a commercial sex trade.

The businesses then went underground and opted to post pimps outside to call and wait for clients.

Habal-habal and tricycle drivers usually brought customers to the pimps in exchange for “referral” fees. For local tourists, the rate is P1,500 and up while foreign tourists will be asked to pay not less than P3,000.

The girls are then pimped to another client.

During the operation, 33 girls were also rescued. They hailed from Bacolod City, Negros Island, Mindoro, and Manila.