ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / June 25, 2013) – Malaysian authorities rescued 10 women from the Philippines who were forced to work at a karaoke bar in Sarawak, Filipino officials said on Tuesday, adding the club’s owner was also arrested.
Officials said the women, who arrived in Malaysia on February 6, were victims of human trafficking. They were recruited to work as service crew in Baila Me Karaoke bar in the coastal town of Bintulu, but ended up working as guest relations officers.
“The Filipinas were forced to work beyond regular working hours without regular salaries and only earning from the commission they receive on drinks offered to customers,” Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
He said upon representations of the Philippine Embassy’s Police Attaché Charlo Collado, the Royal Malaysian Police raided the bar and rescued the women.
The arrested bar owner is being investigated under Section 13 of the Malaysian Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act of 2007.
Malaya said a Malaysian citizen, who was concerned on the plight of the women, emailed the Philippine Embassy to report the matter and even provided the phone number of one of the victims.
He said they were able to secretly contact the women and informed the Malaysian police about their plight.
“We are grateful to the Malaysian police authorities for their immediate action on our request. Cooperation between police and other authorities, as well as vigilance among the general public, is essential in combating human trafficking,” Malaya said.
He said the women are currently staying at a shelter home, pending the investigation of the case. After their testimonies are taken, the Philippine Embassy will work for their immediate repatriation.
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