THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested last Tuesday a couple suspected of illegal recruitment and human trafficking in Lapu-Lapu City.
Nine women, who are their alleged victims, were rescued at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Before the arrest at 9 p.m., four persons reported to the Provincial Women's Commission (PWC) about two women who were illegally recruited by the suspects.
The victims were promised jobs in Lebanon in the Middle East, according to PWC consultant Heddah Largo.
Largo said the suspects, who are detained at the Fuente Police Station, have no license from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Suspects Roy, 46, and Lea, 38, (not their real names) denied the accusation.
Roy told reporters that they just helped the women prepare their passports and other documents.
He said one of the women is his niece, whom he helped find work abroad.
"We did not ask money from them," said Roy in Cebuano. "We even paid for them."
Jaybee Binghay, information officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7, said the women came from Liloan and Danao City.
None of them were minors.
The PWC asked DSWD 7 to provide temporary shelter and food to the rescued women.
News
Couple Arrested for ‘Trafficking;’ 9 Women Rescued by Authorities
Trafficking in Persons Report
