2 women arrested on white slavery charges

Two women were arrested by elements of the Western Police District-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Tondo, Manila Monday for allegedly forcing young women from the provinces into prostitution.

Arrested were Rosalina Ortegoza, alias "Ate Rose" and Edralyn Francisco, alias "Ate Edna," both residing at 987 Morong St., Tondo.

According to arresting team leader Senior Inspector Eduardo Kempis, an investigation on the activities of the two suspects started after a complaint was filed against them by Shiela, 17; and Janice, 25; two of their alleged victims.

Kempis said the suspects went to the girls’ residences at Barangay Cagikanilao, San Isidro, Northern Samar last July and recruited the two girls.

The suspects, Kempis said, promised the two girls high-paying jobs as housemaids in Manila. But to the victims’ surprise, instead of the promised jobs, they were forced into prostitution.

Investigation showed that the victims were kept under guard at the suspects’ house and were only allowed to go out whenever they had customers.

Kempis said the victims would be escorted by the suspects to the Vista Lodge along Claro M. Recto Avenue in Sta. Cruz where the customers are waiting.

"Whenever they have customers, they would be escorted by the suspects to the Vista Lodge and are fetched afterwards," said Kempis.

Police said that on Oct. 29, the victims were able to escape shortly after they were escorted to the Vista Lodge. They then immediately went to the police to seek help.

After gathering enough information, elements of the WPD-CIDG raided the suspects’ house and made the arrests. Kempis said that they were also able to rescue other young girls during the raid but they refused to file complaints against Ortegoza and Francisco.

The suspects are now detained at the WPD Integrated Jail for violation of the Women and Child Abuse Law and for white slavery. – Mike Frialde