Villar's OFW Helpline rescues Pinays in Malaysia prostitution den

Three Filipinas were rescued from a prostitution den in Malaysia after the OFW Helpline, a program initiated by Nacionalista Party President Manny Villar, acted on a plea to help a distressed overseas Filipino worker.

Grace, Evelyn and Rhea, (not their real names) all aged 29, arrived in Manila on February 21 after officials of the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur with the help of Malaysian authorities rescued them from a house in Kuching where they were locked up.

"The repatriation of three of our kababayan is a victory brought about by the cooperation of government agencies. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa tulong embahada sa Kuala Lumpur at Malaysian authorities sa maagap nilang pagtugon sa ating panawagan sa pamamagitan ng OFW Helpline. Kung natagalan pa sila doon, baka lalo silang napahamak," Villar said.

The three Pinays met with Villar today to thank him for the Helpline's assistance in their early repatriation.

Embassy officials received a communication from Villar's OFW Helpline 09174226800 requesting assistance for the repatriation of Grace, a native of Cabanatuan. Grace was allegedly forced to use illegal drugs and maltreated in Malaysia.

When the officials located Grace in a house in Kuching, Malaysia, they also rescued two Filipinas--Evelyn of Pangasinan and Rhea of Antipolo.

Grace, who used to work in Japan as a singer, narrated that a recruiter in Cabanatuan offered her a singing job in Malaysia that will pay P250 per hour.

She said she was forced to use cocaine and marijuana while entertaining customers who are also using drugs. The owner of the den also told her that she won't be able to earn and eat anything if she will resist.

"Pinagsasama-sama namin ang mga tirang mineral water ng customer para may mainom kami. Wala kaming sinisweldo. Yung nakukuha naming tip ang pambili namin ng pagkain at tubig," Grace said.

Grace added only one was allowed to go out, the one trusted by the manager, who buys them the food. She said seven Filipinas were working in the drug den, but the others were too scared to go out when embassy officials arrived.

Villar expressed dismay over the continued operation of human traffickers in the country despite the enactment of RA 9283 or the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act.

"I urge concerned authorities to go after these illegal recruiters and human traffickers and make sure that they will be dealt with the full force of the law," the former Senate president said.

Prior to her repatriation, the OFW Helpline also spoke with Grace, where she was crying and pleading for help most of the time. The Helpline also helped her have direct communication with the embassy officials.

Since it started in May last year, the Helpline was able to act on more than 4000 requests for repatriation, legal and financial assistance for distressed OFWs.