Six Filipinas rescued in Petagas raid
Published on: Thursday, August 24, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Six Filipinas, aged between 20 and 24, were rescued by police in an operation at a premises in Kg Peringatan, Jalan Petagas, on Tuesday.A 47-year-old local Chinese man and two Filipinas, aged 25 and 47, one of them without documents, were also picked up during the 9.30am raid on suspicion of involvement in human trafficking for vice. Ten handphones, an undisclosed amount of foreign cash and a Perodua Alza were also seized. ADVERTISEMENT The Visaya victims from Zamboanga, Philippines have since been sent to a Safe House for further action.The case is being investigated under Section 12 and Section 13(e) of the Anti-Trafficking in Person and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007, which carry up to 15 years' jail and fine, and up to 20 years' jail and fine, respectively. Acting on tip-off, police raided the rented premises where they found the women and the suspects in two bedrooms. City Police Chief ACP M. Chandra said initial investigation showed the six women had entered the State in stages in the past four months. ADVERTISEMENT Their journey by boat from the Philippines to Sabah were handled by agents from the Philippines as well as local agents, with their transportation cost to be borne by the victims as debt. They were promised jobs as waitress at nightclubs and restaurants, but upon arrival in Sabah via Sandakan, Semporna and Tawau, were taken to the State Capital and stayed in the suspect's rented premises.
ADVERTISEMENT
They were allegedly sexually exploited by becoming Guest Relations Officers at entertainment outlets, karaokes and hotels. They were also allegedly under the control of the suspects, confined and not allowed to leave the rented premises except when sent to entertain customers at hotels and entertainment outlets. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
The women also claimed to have not been paid or given commission or reward by the suspects who are believed to be pimps and madams. Chandra urged the public to channel information should they come across human trafficking and migrant smuggling activities. - Sherell Ann Jeffrey