1,000 Pinays held ‘hostage’ by Yakuza, says ‘survivor’

At least 1,000 Filipino women are held "hostage" in Japanese prostitution dens run by the dreaded Yakuza Gang in the red light districts of Narita, Osaka and Tokyo, according to a Filipina entertainer, who managed to escape from the clutches of the criminal syndicate.

Vivian (not her real name), who arrived yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board a Japan Airlines flight from Narita, said she was lucky to have been able to come home with her "body and soul intact," explaining that one could not escape the Yakuza without getting killed or battered.

She revealed that while the Filipino women are paid highly for working as prostitutes for the Yakuza-owned clubs and dens, they do not have any freedom at all, as they are locked up in windowless rooms guarded by the syndicate’s underlings.

Vivian also said that any infraction of house rules like refusal to go out with a customer or attempting to go out alone, merits severe punishments like beating and other forms of physical maltreatment.

"I’ve heard of stories of some women beaten black and blue and drugged for disobeying house rules," Vivian said, adding that those who had become "useless" were literally thrown out into the streets to fend for themselves.

Vivian, 24, and who stands 5’4" and looks pretty, had "worked" for three years in several Yakuza-run prostitution dens in the three capital districts of Japan where she was among those tagged as new "recruits" whenever she was brought to a new place.

Just like most Filipino women who were recruited to work as entertainers or GROs, Vivian, who hails from Alcala, Pangasinan, ended up in a prostitution den owned or run by the Yakuza.

"We were forced to go out with the club’s customers under pain of severe punishment if we refused. And we were always guarded when we go out to ensure that we go back to the club," said Vivian.

Vivian said that she managed to escape when the guard fell asleep while waiting for her, and she contacted a Filipino friend who helped her come home to Manila in "one piece."

Asked if she wanted to go back to Japan, she said yes, but not to work for the Yakuza again. "In Japan, one could easily earn big money." She expressed concern for the other Filipino women held "hostage" by the Yakuza.

Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo is well-informed of the illegal activities of the Yakuza even in the Philippines which is the reason why she issued a policy to bar Yakuza Gang members from entering the country.

"We have enough criminals here. We don’t want to add to their number by allowing the members of foreign-based criminal syndicates to come here. And I am not only referring to the Yakuza," Domingo said.

Domingo warned Filipinas intending to work abroad not to deal with fixers and illegal recruiters as they would only become unsuspecting victims of physical abuse by their foreign employers.

The immigration chief issued the warning after immigration officers at the NAIA barred four persons, including two minors, who were caught with fake Japanese visas, from leaving the country.

Domingo urged those who want to work abroad to avoid dealing with fixers and illegal recruiters as chances are they would not be to leave using fake or spurious travel documents.

And if they manage to leave the country, Domingo pointed out, chances are, they would be apprehended in their ports of entry and deported back to Manila.

They also stand to suffer abuse and maltreatment by their employers since being illegal aliens, they cannot ask for protection in foreign lands, Domingo stressed.