‘Rescued’ women deny confinement claim

Two of 34 women rescued by police Friday denied that they were held against their will and expressed disappointment that the operation dashed their chances to work abroad.

Janice, 47, and Neri, 45, did not provide their surnames, but claimed the others shared their sentiments.

"Galing pa po kaming Capiz. Apat ang anak ko kaya nag-apply ako na mag-abroad para sa kanila dahil gusto ko na makapagtapos sila ng pag-aaral nila. Lalo at yung asawa ko ay laborer lang naman," said Janice while picking up her belongings left in the two-storey house.

On Friday, police raided a house inside a subdivision in Paco, Manila and arrested its caretaker, Neni Dumanon.

Dumanon has been charged with illegal detention.

Neri said contrary to the complaint filed by four other job applicants, the house was not locked up and explained that confiscation of their mobile phones was part of their training.

"Hindi po kami kinulong dito dahil malaya naman kaming nakakalabas. Nila-lock lang yung pinto dahil pare-pareho kaming babae dito at baka pasukin kami ng kung sino-sino dyan. Ang cellphone namin nasa office pero meron kaming dalawang cellphone dito na pangtawag sa pamilya. Sabi kasi, training daw yun dahil paglabas daw ng ibang bansa, masasanay na kami na mga one week or two weeks bago ibalik. Pero pag aalis ka na or flight mo na, ibabalik naman sayo yun," Neri said.

Janice and Neri, who hail from Roxas City, Aklan, said they were treated well and given freed board and lodging.

Some of their companions were just waiting for their departure, according to Janice and Neri.

"Kami kasi, waiting kami, pero yung mga ex-abroad naming kasama nanghihinayang 'din dahil aalis na dapat sila. Sabi pa nga nila, mas maganda nga raw dito na accomodation. Sabi nila nakaranas sila ng accomodation na para daw 'Titanic'--double deck nga pero punong-puno naman ng surot. Samantalang dito napakalinis namin," "Neri" said.

Janice said the four complainants were first-timers and may have misjudged the situation.

"Yung apat na nag-complain kasi, two days pa lang sila nandito. Umalis sila saglit tapos hindi na sila bumalik. Hinanap pa sila nung caretaker at iba naming kasama dahil baka nawala na sila at first time nila dito. Hindi na talaga isla bumalik, eh yun pala pumunta na doon sa pulis," she said.

Most of the rescued women have left for their respective provinces, but Janice and Neri said they decided to stay and try their luck in Manila.

"Siguro hahanap na lang uli ako ng trabaho dito sa Maynila na din tutal nandito naman na ako. Tuloy lang ang buhay," "Janice" said.

On July 6 at around 11 a.m., elements of the Manila Police District - General Assignment and Investigation Section led by P/Insp. Jake Serrano conducted a police operation on a house inside a a subdivision in Paco, Manila after receiving a complaint from four complainants claiming that they, along with 34 other women, were locked up inside their accommodation house while their phones were confiscated.

The cops brought the 34 women to the Manila Department of Social Welfare and Development and arrested the caretaker named Neni Dumanon.