One of Bulacan’s most wanted women, accused of human trafficking under the guise of overseas restaurant jobs, was arrested outside a church in Barangay Wawa, Balagtas, on Black Saturday, April 19.
According to Police Major Mark Vincent Centinaje, the suspect had been evading authorities for recruiting women as restaurant servers in Malaysia—without proper working visas—and then forcing them into prostitution.
Victims were told they wouldn’t have to pay for processing and would only work as waitresses. However, once abroad, they were exploited in illegal sex work.
Centinaje revealed that the suspect facilitated a complex route: transporting recruits from Bulacan to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, then flying them to Palawan. From there, they were taken by van to Brooke’s Point, then by speedboat to Balabac, and finally transferred to Kudat, Malaysia.
The victims, lacking legal documents, were eventually apprehended in their places of work. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and cautious about whom they trust, especially when dealing with overseas job offers.
The suspect, however, claimed she was merely dragged into the situation, saying, “Nadamay lang po talaga ako diyan.”