Families of human trafficking victims: Help

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

THE families of 13 alleged victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking pleaded for help so they could reunite with their loved ones who are in Malaysia.

In a news conference at the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) yesterday morning, the families pleaded for help from the government and concerned non-government organizations to ensure the immediate repatriation of the victims.

Joseph Dumloan, 24, a twin brother of alleged victim Jeoprey Dumloan, told reporters that four of the 13 workers were in hiding but were declared “missing” by their employer in Malaysia.

“They were declared missing after they left their previous employer who made them work for 12 to 16 hours daily without any rest day. They are now hiding in Miri Sarawak in Malaysia,” he said.

Dumloan said the latest information his family received was that the four were forced to work in a KTV bar just to survive. He said they are hiding for fear that they would be arrested because they don’t have working permits and other documents.

“Luoy na kayo sila kay halos wala na silay makita nga trabaho, and anytime they can be arrested by the Malaysian police. Undocumented sila kay ang ilang passport wala man gihatag sa ilang previous employer. Ang usa nagsakit na didto,” he said.

Dumlaon said all the victims should file a complaint against a science and technology school located along Osmeña St. here.

At least seven new complainants have gone to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regional office because they wanted to pursue a case against the school.

Lawyer James Judith said he would assist in the filing of a new case, and he would file a motion in connection with earlier cases filed against the school’s officials.

“Naay bag-o og daan nga kaso ang atong atimanon. Natingala lang kita kay dunay nag-file sa kaso pero wala gyud ni mogawas sa media. Ang mga daan nga kaso naghinay-hinay na og ka-dismiss despite the fact that they have presented strong evidence against the school,” he said.

He said there were about 200 students who were allegedly victimized.

Judith said a string of cases were filed by the NBI and the Public Attorneys Office (PAO) against the school before the City Prosecutor’s Office but these were dismissed. He said would ask for a re-investigation and inventory of the cases.