Human trafficking raps on 3 Pinoys

April 22, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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LOS ANGELES – Human trafficking charges have been filed against three Filipinos here allegedly for illegally bringing job seekers from the Philippines into the United States, according to ABS-CBN news.

The three - Rodolfo Demafeliz, 39; his assistant, Rolleta Riazon, 28, and Evelyn Pelayo, 51, - are now facing prosecution before the US District Court in Los Angeles after criminal complaints were filed against them by federal agents. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Pelayo entices job hunters in the Philippines to work in her two elderly care facilities in Long Beach, California. However, upon their arrival in the US, the victims are then forced to work nearly 24 hours a day to pay for their travel expenses.

“The charges allege that these victims were forced into debt bondage under threat of arrest or deportation, so the defendants could profit. The Human Trafficking Task Force in Los Angeles will continue its efforts to dismantle trafficking organizations,? said Salvador Hernandez, a federal officer based in Los Angeles. Demafeliz, a taekwondo instructor, was used by Pelayo to bring the recruits to the US by helping them pretend to be students competing in taekwondo tournaments. US authorities said the six Filipino victims were rescued at the two elderly care facilities owned by Pelayo during the serving of the warrants. The victims claimed that Pelayo confiscated their passports and threatened to contact police and immigration officials if they tried to escape. They added that Pelayo also told them to lie about their working hours when asked by social services personnel who supervise the elderly care facilities.

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Posted by News Team | Filed Under US News 

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