Sunday, March 30, 2008

31 Women Rescued from Suspected Trafficking Operation in the Philippines



By Tina Santos

From the Inquirer:

MANILA, Philippines - At least 31 women, including a minor, were rescued by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from a suspected human trafficking syndicate following a raid in an apartment in Manila Thursday night.

Regner Peneza, chief of the NBI Counter Intelligence Division, said the victims, mostly from Mindanao (southern Philippines), were rescued from a two-storey apartment on Angel Linao Street, Malate around 9 p.m.

Arrested during the raid was Marieta Rosita, the suspected illegal recruiter who detained the women whom she promised jobs as domestic helpers in the Middle East.

"They were threatened and prevented by the suspect to leave the apartment, were not allowed to speak with anybody outside, and were even stripped of their cell phones," the NBI said, adding that most victims claimed they were fed only once a day.

The suspect will be charged with large-scale illegal recruitment and serious illegal detention.

Read the full article

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