Mother faces complaints for "pimping" daughters

CEBU, Philippines - The 35-year-old mother who was accused of pimping her children is now facing complaints of human trafficking and child abuse before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

The Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force (RATF) also filed complaints of human trafficking, child abuse and violence against women and their children against the mother’s live-in partner, a 47-year old American national.

The mother denied the allegations while the foreigner refused to comment on the matter.

During the inquest proceedings before Prosecutor Simaco Labata, the accused assisted by their counsel Louie Arma filed a waiver of detention.

They are given until Friday next week to file their counter-affidavits.

The mother and her live-in partner were arrested Wednesday night in Barangay San Antonio, Cebu City for allegedly pimping her two daughters aged 15 and four.

Their arrest came after the children’s grandmother and their sister reported the alleged pimping to the authorities.

Last Wednesday morning, the mother and the foreigner went to the school of her 14-year old daughter, a grade six students in Barangay San Nicolas.

Instead of approaching them, the 14-year-old hid in the comfort room. Her teacher prevented the couple from taking the minor.

The teacher then asked the minor why she did not want to see her mother. She answered that her mother wanted to sell her and she also gets beaten by the foreigner.

At 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the police together with the social workers rescued the victims and arrested the respondents at Pelaez Street.     - THE FREEMAN