5 Pinays in Riyadh sold as sex slaves - Migrante

MANILA, Philippines — Five Filipinas who are victims of white slavery in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, are in need of urgent help from the Philippine government, a migrant group said on Thursday.

Migrante-Middle East identified the victims, but GMANews.TV is withholding their names to protect their honor.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-ME regional coordinator, said the victims have sought the help of Migrante-Riyadh to bail them out of their deplorable situations.

He said Migrante-Riyadh has already sent a letter to Labor Attaché Resty Dela Fuente , head of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh, to look into the case and extend immediate assistance to the distressed women.

“They need immediate assistance. Some of the victims are not well and haven't been brought to the hospital for proper medical care," Monterona said.

The five were among the 30 Filipina domestic helpers recruited by an agency named C.Y. DUBAI/Al Fais Agency under employer Abu Aggaf for local hire, Migrante said.

The source said the workers were hired to work with other employers not as domestic helpers doing household chores but as sex slaves.

A press statement by Migrante said the victims complained of being sexually abused by their employer.

"Further, the victims complained that in some instances they were beaten with bruises all over their body and without their monthly salary if their employer returned them back to … [the employer], as the other party is not satisfied with their performances," Migrante quoted a source as saying.

The victims were reportedly forbidden from using their cell phones.

Monterona called on embassy officials to act swiftly and provide the necessary assistance to the victims and prosecute the accused abusive employer without delay. - D’Jay Lazaro, GMANews.TV

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