Manhunt on for woman who pimped teen

MANILA, Philippines – Police launched yesterday a citywide manhunt for a woman who allegedly pimped a mentally disturbed14-year-old girl to several men in San Juan City.

San Juan police chief Senior Superintendent Popoy Lipana ordered the capture of Julie Gabriel, of Yakal street in Barangay Corazon de Jesus, based on a complaint filed by the girl’s mother.

Lipana said the complainant had her go on an errand to a nearby market last April 1. When her daughter failed to return, she went looking for the girl throughout their neighborhood but did not find her.

Last Sunday, however, a concerned citizen told the complainant that she saw her daughter in the company of Gabriel.

The complainant sought the help of barangay officials and together they rescued the teenager from Gabriel’s house. The suspect was not there when lawmen raided the house Sunday afternoon.

The complainant learned that Gabriel made her daughter a sex slave for four days. The victim claimed Gabriel sold her to several men during her stay in the suspect’s house.

She said she failed to go home because she has no fare money and did not know the way home.

After her daughter revealed her ordeal, the complainant sought the help of Lipana, who formed a team to arrest Gabriel.

Lipana said they would file child abuse charges against Gabriel before the city prosecutor’s office.