38 women rescued from illegal recruiters

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-eight women were rescued in Paco, Manila on Friday from a house where they were allegedly locked up by their recruiters, who promised them jobs in the Middle East.

Four of those rescued were able to escape from a house in Fabie Subdivision, where they were allegedly locked up with 34 others by their employers – a certain Madam Eva and Edilyn Abiera – who promised them jobs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan as domestic helpers with a $400 monthly salary.

Senior Inspector Jake Arcilla, Manila Police District general assignment investigation section chief, yesterday told The STAR the women, who came all the way from different provinces, slept on the floor, were starved – all 38 had to subsist on a total food budget of P700 per day – and prevented from using their phones alleged as training for work abroad.

They were also locked up in the house, and were monitored by an escort every time they left the house.

Four of the women – Genevieve Romo, Charo Tia, Julie Candelario, and Rufa Cadalso – filed a complaint for illegal recruitment and serious illegal detention against their recruiters and the caretaker Nenia Dumanon, who was arrested. 

The two other suspects remain at large.

The 34 other complainants, who were brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, opted not to file a complaint, Arcilla said.