Wanting to wed foreigner, woman ends up being trafficked

CEBU, Philippines - In her “interest” to find a foreigner for a husband, a 21-year-old woman from the barrio ended up being a trafficking victim.

The victim who hails from Poblacion, Badian has filed a criminal complaint for violation of the Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act against Stella Torino and spouses Vilma and Hannibal Maano before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

The complainant alleged that sometime in June 2012, Torino offered to help her find a man of  her dream upon learning that she was interested in foreigner for a husband.

Torino also offered the victim to stay in her house in Poblacion, Badian for free. In return, the victim said she would help the suspect in the household chores.   While staying with Torino, the victim was instructed to have pictures of her wearing a two-piece bikini because it is allegedly needed to find a husband.

Torino reportedly created an account for her at www.filipinacupid.com but kept the password for herself.

“I later learned that Torino would pose as me and chat online and on the cellphone with different foreigners who thought they were talking to me,” the victim’s affidavit read.

Sometime in August 2012, the respondents brought her to a mall in Cebu City supposedly to meet a foreigner.

While at the mall, a foreigner approached her and brought her into the basement together with the respondents. At the basement, the foreigner reportedly handed money to the respondents.

“To my mind it appeared that I was being sold to this American and I suddenly panicked,” the complainant said, adding that she cried and pleaded not to go with the foreigner and even threatened to call the police.

This allegedly prompted Torino to return the money to the foreigner. But, the incident allegedly did not stop Torino from pretending to be the complainant.

“That, I later learned that while pretending to be me she would ask for money to be sent through remittance center under her name claiming that I did not have any valid ID and that Torino is my trusted aunt who would hand me whatever amount was sent but I never received money,” the complainant added.— (FREEMAN)