STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan (PIA) — Following the repatriation of a Filipina who fell prey to a dubious human trafficking scheme, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) cited the urgent need for heightened public awareness and vigilance against supposed offers to work abroad via direct hiring.
Citing the case of a female victim from this province, CFO Secretary Romulo Arugay issued a warning on what appears to be worse than slavery—a modus that requires the prospect to marry a Chinese national upon arrival in China to obtain residency status.
After getting married, the victim is dragged into hard labor and, at times, into forced sex with different men.
“This is a crime against humanity. It is truly painful that some of our fellow Filipinos are victimizing others instead of providing them with a better future,” Arugay said during the Tongtongan ed PIA (Discussion with PIA), a media forum initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Pangasinan.
CFO, the lead advocate in the government’s campaign against the trafficking of Filipinos abroad, recently secured a legal victory for Maria (not her real name), who fell prey to the irresistible offer made by a Chinese national and his Filipino wife, who promised “employment and a better life in China after marrying a Chinese national.
Soon after the marriage, Maria’s life turned into hell, said Arugay.
“Her movements were restricted, her passport was confiscated, and she endured physical, verbal, and sexual abuse by her husband and brother-in-law.”
With the help of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, China, the CFO was able to rescue Maria and repatriate her to the Philippines.
Simultaneous with the rescue effort, the CFO sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the filing of a human trafficking case (violation of Republic Act 9208) against Maria’s supposed “recruiters,” who were eventually convicted by a local court.
“We assisted the victim (Maria) of human trafficking to obtain justice,” CFO Senior Emigrant Services Officer Eumarlo Tolosa stated.
Meanwhile, cases of human trafficking in Metro Manila may be reported via the 1343 Actionline for CFA’s case validation before the filing of charges. Suspected or identified human trafficking activities may also be tracked through (02) 1343 for those calling outside the National Capital Region or via downloadable forms on the Mobile Report Section of the www.1343actiononline.ph website. (MJTAB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
