Rescued victim of human trafficking may be slapped with charges too

CEBU, Philippines - In what seems to be a turn of events, the victim who was rescued from the hands of 71-year-old American national Lawrence Pendarvis who allegedly used women as sex slaves, may be facing criminal charges too, according to the police.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac said that the 52-year old victim of Pendarvis may face charges if complainants will come forward against her.

The victim allegedly recruited minors and abused them, according to police investigation.

Gillamac said they are now encouraging other victims of Pendarvis to appear at the Talisay City Police Station and file charges against the woman.

“Admitted man nga mang-recruit siya ug bata pero as of now victim siya. Pero kung dunay complainant suspek nana siya,” Gillamac said.

Gillamac said they are planning to look for the victims and get their affidavits. For the meantime though, they are working on the charges against Pendarvis.

Police will also use the evidence recovered from the laptop and videotapes submitted to the Anti-Cybercrime Group-7 for another set of charges to be filed against Pendarvis while waiting for the result of the medicine submitted also to the PNP Crime Laboratory-7.

Pendarvis, a retired chemist, allegedly drugged and abused two women aged 52 and 28 at a resort in Barangay Pooc, Talisay City Sunday. Both were drugged, abused and filmed until the elder woman broke her silence which resulted to the raid.

The suspect arrived in Cebu on August 2013 as a tourist but allegedly bribed the Bureau of Immigration to allow him to extend his stay in the country. This was denied by the BI.

Pendarvis also lived in Cebu City where he allegedly hired women and filmed them while having sexual intercourse.

Police filed a criminal complaint yesterday against Pendarvis before the Office of the Prosecutor in Talisay City.

Gillamac will be calling for a meeting with resort owners next month to help in monitor women and children exploitation.

“Resort owners have moral and social responsibility because we cannot allow that to happen nga ang foreigners will molest women especially minors,” Gillamac said, adding that they will not tolerate any resort catering to such exploitation.

Both victims are still treated at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. — (FREEMAN)