Two "detained" helpers saved

CEBU, Philippines - Two helpers were rescued last Saturday afternoon after they were imprisoned for over a week in the property of their employer in Barangay Guadalupe.

Marinatte Ansola, 26, and her 16-year-old companion, were allegedly locked inside the property at 360 Horseshoe Drive, Barangay Guadalupe, since August 7, 2011 after their employer left for Manila.

Lawyer Joan Sañiel of the Children’s Legal Bureau said that they were on-air in their weekend program over radio dySS when an anonymous caller from Barangay Guadalupe informed them of the inhumane conditions the two helpers were left in.

According to the caller, two helpers were padlocked inside the house allegedly owned by a certain “Dr. Lim.”

The caller also said that the two helpers had exhausted the food stored in the house since their detention on August 7.

When the two allegedly ran out of food, neighbors reportedly sent them food over the wall of the house until they were later rescued.

The rescue team, composed of representatives from the CLB, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, GMA-7 and from the Guadalupe Police Station, went to the house around 5 p.m.

After the team confirmed the reports, representatives from the DSWD talked with the two and planned their escape.

The team later saw a part of the wall which was lower and the two climbed to freedom over the barbed wire and broken glass set into the wall. 

Ansola and her minor companion were brought to DSWD-7, regional office where they are undergoing debriefing following their ordeal. 

Their employer, according to CLB, may face charges for illegal detention for locking his two helpers inside his property without enough food for themselves.   - (THE FREEMAN)