Woman charged for prostituting, abusing 15-year-old neighbor

CEBU, Philippines – Criminal charges for violation of the Anti-Trafficking Law and Child Abuse Law were filed against a woman for prostituting and abusing her 15-year-old neighbor two years ago.

The court recommended no bail against Vilma Bataycan, resident of Duljo Fatima, Cebu City, for violating Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking Law, and P80, 000 for violating the Republic Act 7610.

In the information filed by the City Prosecutor's Office, it stated that Bataycan committed psychological and sexual abuse on the victim by promoting, and inducing the victim into child prostitution for a consideration of P5, 000.

In her affidavit, the victim said that sometime in October 2008, Bataycan, who is their neighbor in Toledo City, asked her parents that she would bring her to their house in Duljo Fatima, Cebu City to do laundry work and promised to bring her back.

Since the accused is their neighbor, the victim said her parents agreed and allowed her to go with her in Cebu City.

When they arrived at the house of Bataycan in Duljo Fatima, the 15-year-old girl said she was then ordered to wash the clothes with the help of Bataycan's daughter. When the victim had finished her work, she told Bataycan that she liked to go home but the accused did not allow her to go.

One evening, while she was asleep, the victim said the accused awakened her and told her to take a bath. After that, Bataycan allegedly brought her along with her daughter, also a minor, to Club Temptation at Jakosalem Street corner Mango Avenue, Cebu City.

The victim stated that inside the bar, she and the daughter of Bataycan were ushered to a room where a gay did a make-up on them.

By then, they were made to dance on a stage. The victim claimed she cried aloud and protested, and rushed to the toilet. But Bataycan allegedly followed her angrily and demanded to open the door.

When she opened the door, Bataycan allegedly grabbed the girl's hair and slapped her face.

The victim again asked Bataycan if she can go home but the latter told her not to leave the bar. Then suddenly, an American national approached the accused and asked if he could take the victim out to one of the motels in Cebu City.

The American allegedly asked Bataycan if the victim is still a virgin and then handed P5, 000 to the accused.

When the victim and the American national were in the motel, he insisted that the victim drink just one shot of liquor that allegedly made her dizzy and lose her consciousness, giving him to succeed in his evil desire.

One afternoon, Bataycan again awakened the victim from her sleep and told her that they will go to Pier 5. Once there, Bataycan allegedly left the victim and her daughter by themselves.

The victim said it was then she learned that Bataycan's daughter, who is also a minor like her, is among the so-called "masturbating gang," a group of young girls engaged in street prostitution at the pier area.

Three weeks later, the victim's parents allegedly got worried after she failed to go home to Toledo City prompting them to phone Bataycan and inquire about their daughter. This forced the accused to let the girl go home to her family.    (THE FREEMAN)