Couple who keeps on changing addresses ‘abused’ two women

CEBU, Philippines - Two women who fled from a couple who employed them in Sitio Bagakay, Barangay Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu has alleged that that they were abused, with one allegedly raped at least twice by the husband.

Both victims aged 19 and 33, were from Barangay Libis, Calapan City, Mindoro.

They informed authorities of their ordeal after they were able to escape from the couple who hired them and were helped by policeman Rex Judaya on July 24.

It was Judaya who turned over the victims to Consolacion police. The perpetrators, though, managed to evade authorities. 

 PO1 Marivic Pepito, Women’s and Chidlren’s Desk officer, said victims were recruited by the couple to work as nannies to their two children on June 20 last year.

The children were allegedly given P1,800 as monthly salary and sent to college.

 They stayed in Manila for a month then moved to Davao City for eight months. They then transferred in Mandaue City, where they stayed for a month, and then in Barangay Tayud for four months.

“Mura man gud ug duna silay gitaguan maong sige ug balhin-balhin ug puyo (It seemed they are hiding from someone),” Pepito said.

They victims alleged that they received salary only once after more than a year of service.

The couple reportedly said that the victims’ salaries went to the payment of tuition when, in fact, the victims never attended school.

“Mao nay ingon unya grabe ang slavery kay hugaw ang banyo deduct P50, hugaw ang bintana deduct napod P50 hangtod wala nay mabilin para ilaha (They were put to work like slaves. And if the shower room is dirty, P50 is deducted from their salary; if the windows are dirty, another P50 is taken),” Pepito said.

The victims also alleged that one time, the husband allegedly asked the 19-year-old victim to give him a massage. That allegedly led to two incidents of molestation.

Pepito said that for unknown reasons, the couple then again decided to move to another place.

She said the victims thought they might move to a far place so they grabbed the chance to escape, adding that they then sought Judaya’s   help.

The victims are now in the custody of the police, who would file a human trafficking complaint against the couple.

Separate complaints for rape and two counts of acts of lasciviousness would also be filed against the husband.—(FREEMAN)