Korean, Cebuana face trafficking charges

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation has filed criminal cases against a Korean national and a woman for allegedly trafficking two girls, one of whom is a minor.

Cases for rape, child abuse and two counts of trafficking were filed against the Korean national, a man, while a separate case for qualified trafficking was filed against the woman.

NBI Regional Director Atty. Edward Villarta said the Korean national is currently residing in Hilutungan Island, Cordova while the woman is a resident of Mar Beach in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

The victims are residents of Barangay Basak and Hawaiian Village, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

The NBI conducted an investigation against the suspects following a complaint filed by the sister of the minor victim.

During interrogation, the 17-year-old victim told NBI agent Jedidah Hife that she accompanied her sister, the complainant, to Mar Beach at around 3pm on October 26, 2011 to visit her sister’s friend.

There, a woman reportedly approached them and said she has a Korean friend who wanted to invite girls to a farewell party for his brother who was leaving for Korea.

“She told us that we will be paid for P1,500 each. She added her Korean friend was the owner of a restaurant at Hilutungan Island,” the victim’s affidavit reads.

The girl said they were brought to Hilutungan on a pump boat owned by the Korean National. They arrived in the island at 6pm and were invited to eat and drink. When she felt drunk and wanted to go home, the Korean National allegedly said he could only provide the boat if she would allow him to have sex with her. Because it was already evening, there was no other boat on the island except the one owned by the Korean. The girl said the suspect succeeded in having sex with her.

“The abused and exploitation made by the subject of a trafficked minor by having sexual intercourse with the minor through fraudulent means by deceiving her that they will be provided transportation going to the mainland in exchange for sex is prejudicial to the child’s normal development,” the NBI said.

Meanwhile, the other victim, a 21-year-old girl, said the female suspect approached her on the second week of October and she and her friend were brought to Hilutungan Island for P1,000. There, there met the Korean National.

Like what happened to the minor, they were reportedly invited to eat and drink and when they got drunk, the Korean national allegedly had sex with her. — (FREEMAN)