Malaysian police rescue 10 Pinays forced to work as GROs — PHL Embassy


Malaysian police rescued 10 Filipino women who were forced to work as guest relations officers (GRO) for a karaoke bar in Sarawak state, the Philippine Embassy there said over the weekend.

"[The Filipinos] were recruited to work as service crew in Baila Me Karaoke Bar in Bintulu, Sarawak but ended up working as GROs," the embassy in Kuala Lumpur said on its website, citing information from one victim.

The victims, who were illegally recruited on February 6, were forced to work beyond regular hours without regular salaries.

They only earned from the "commission" on top of the drinks for the customers, the embassy added.

Meanwhile, the Chinese-Malaysian operator was arrested for possible violation of Malaysia's Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act of 2007.

According to Section 13 of the law, those involved in human trafficking through force, deception, abuse of power, among others, are penalized with an imprisonment ranging from three years to 20 years, plus a fine.

The embassy got wind of the incident via an e-mailed tip on May 13 from a concerned Malaysian citizen who forwarded the contact details of one of the victims.

The Filipinos are now at a shelter home after the raid, the embassy said.

Meanwhile, the embassy said they will work for the Filipinos' immediate repatriation.

Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya III said they 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,” he said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News

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