Five charged for trafficking of persons

CEBU, Philippines - Five people engaged in the recruitment of women, including minors, from Cagayan De Oro City to work for a bar in Cebu City were indicted for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Facing charges are Dhayme Jamuad, Jillian Ferrer and three others identified only as Ruben, Jason and Shane. 

The respondents were accused of recruiting eight people, seven female and one male, from Cagayan De Oro City in November 2008 “for the purpose of prostitution, pornography and sexual exploitation.”The victims, mostly minors, said it was Jamuad, Ferrer, Jason and Shane who recruited them to work as entertainers in Cebu City.

They were allegedly assured that the job waiting for them is decent and there will be no nude dancing or splitting of legs.Jamuad allegedly enticed them to go with her by promising that all expenses, except for their meals, will be paid including their room accommodations.

The suspects and the victims arrived in Cebu on November 12, 2008 but they were intercepted by the Maritime Police who got curious by their presence at the port.   They were then waiting for a certain Ruben who were supposed to meet them.

The victims were subsequently rescued by personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. — Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)