Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday claimed law enforcement officials will pull no stops in going after the human trafficking syndicates behind the illegal recruitment of Filipina workers who were forced to work in Hong Kong without pay.
De Lima made the claim following the rescue of Jona (not her real name), who earlier had faced charges before the Shatin Court in Hong Kong for overstaying and working without the necessary permits.
The Justice Secretary and other Department of Justice (DoJ) officials personally welcomed Jona upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last night.
“Once again, I warn human trafficking syndicates not to test nor underestimate the resolve and will of this government to go after and prosecute them,” De Lima told reporters in an interview.
“The government and our partners are determined to protect the rights and interests of Filipinos even beyond our borders,” she said.
According to De Lima, the DoJ will provide full legal assistance and support to Jona, saying she wants this case “to highlight once more the resolve of the government to punish and eradicate elements engaged in human trafficking in the country.”
“We are mobilizing the resources of government and our private sector partners to make sure there will be no repeat of cases similar to this,” she said.
Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, who also heads the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said the DoJ initially pursued and assisted in the case of Jona. He added Jona faced the charges after her voluntary surrender to HK immigration officials.
Salazar believed that Jona was a victim of a human trafficking syndicate in the country which lured her into accepting an offer to work in HK without proper processing and documentation.
Salazar said Jona entered HK as a tourist in 2008 after she was made to believe she was to work as a care-giver for the aging mother of her recruiter’s sister-in law.
However, Salazar said Jona was made to work for a Chinese couple upon her entry in HK who engaged her services for more than two years while keeping her passport from her. Her woes were aggravated when she fell ill and was not allowed to return to the Philippines despite repeated pleas.
Salazar also said Jona’s family never received the promised salary from her recruiter since she arrived in HK.
Jona was allowed to leave only after her father died. She said her employers warned her not to disclose the illegal status of her employment with them and the treatment she received.
Upon learning of her plight, De Lima dispatched Salazar and other IACAT officials to assist Jona and work for her return to the country with the help from partner agencies and non-government organizations. She was provided with legal representation and assistance for her repatriation.
Salazar said the IACAT and its partners “appreciate the cooperation given by Jona.” This is an indication that the public, particularly those victimized by human trafficking syndicates, trust the government and its law enforcement and prosecution arms.”
“We intend to reinforce that trust as we continue to pursue similar cases even more aggressively,” Salazar added.
Source: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120502met1.html
