Hard out there for this ‘pimp’ in Manila

Nika Datuindal allegedly ran a racket that had an 18-year-old girl serving “eight customers a day,” each paying her P500.

Another woman, this time a minor, shared a similar story in the criminal case filed Thursday against Datuindal, 28, who was arrested last week for running a prostitution ring with her live-in partner.

A native of Isabela, Basilan province, Datuindal was charged for violation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, based on the complaints of two alleged victims, both from Paco, Manila.

She was arrested by members of the Manila City Hall Public Assistance (Chapa) in a hotel on Rizal Avenue in the Sta. Cruz district after the 18-year-old victim escaped and reported the racket to the authorities.

Three more women, including a 16-year-old, were rescued in the operation but Datuindal’s live-in partner, identified as 30-year-old May May Macalangkom, evaded arrest.

In a sworn statement, the 18-year-old victim said Datuindal and Macalangkom had been offering her and the other women to clients since November last year.

She said the couple gave her P500 per client. At first, she would have around eight customers a day but lately they were reduced to four. The couple would invite clients to go to the hotel and choose from the trafficked women, she said.

“At first, I allowed it because I was still getting the money, but lately they stopped giving me anything and yet they were still forcing me to do it,” the complainant said in Filipino.

After her escape, the girl and her parents sought the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.