The Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates said that 17 Filipinos were arrested in Abu Dhabi earlier this month for operating a human trafficking syndicate forcing other Filipinos into prostitution.
Nine Filipinas are currently under the Embassy's custody after they sought shelter last July 13 after escaping the same syndicate. Another victim is currently staying with a friend in Abu Dhabi. Philippine Ambassador Grace R. Princesa met with the Abu Dhabi Criminal and Investigation Division (CID) head of organized crime Colonel Rashid M. Bursheed on the case last July 18. It was found out that early this month, after one of the Filipino victims managed to escape the syndicate and immediately informed the Abu Dhabi Police.
The story was published in three major dailies in Abu Dhabi.
Out of the 17 arrested, three women and one man was suspected of operating the syndicate. Nine victims, who were arrested with them, are currently sheltered at the Abu Dhabi Human Trafficking Center. Another four women were detained after they were suspected of voluntarily engaging in prostitution.
The CID operatives also confiscated US$18,000 and UAE Dirham (AED) 12,128 (around US$3,314) in cash. It was also discovered that an additional AED 54,000 (about US$14,754) was discovered under the accounts of one of the suspects.
According to Colonel Bursheed, the defendants confessed to the charges and admitted that they forced the victims into prostitution after promising them jobs in the UAE.
The CID is now investigating the sponsors who issued the tourist visas for the victims and a court hearing is yet to be scheduled.
Ambassador Princesa is visiting the Trafficking Center and the Al Wathba Central Prison to meet the victims and the alleged operators and provide assistance to them.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is recommending the blacklisting of the Filipino traffickers and referring this case to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
Also, the DFA is issuing a severe warning to those Filipinos who are engaging in trafficking their fellow countrymen that they will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
It also continues to coordinate with the IACAT to assist the victims and prosecute the traffickers.
Posted at: 11:47 | Add Comment
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