Singaporean, 2 women nabbed for trafficking

A Singaporean businessman and two Filipinas face human trafficking charges after they allegedly recruited a Cebu-based model to work as a prostitute abroad.

Robin James Chua, his girlfriend Fraulline May Soria, and her aunt Lurlie are accused of violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1996.

The three respondents were arrested at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

Cebu City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas, head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking at the airport, said Chua and the two respondents were apprehended by the Travel Control and Enforcement Unit of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

During the investigation, the three respondents gave inconsistent statements concerning their recruitment of the female victim.

In her affidavit, the victim said Fraulline and Chua recruited her to travel to Singapore and work as an entertainer in a bar owned by Chua.

“Fraulline May Soria and Robin James Chua assured me that I will earn a weekly commission of P20,000,” the victim said.

When she asked if part of her job is to be taken out by customers, the victim was told that she “may choose to have sex with customers who will become her boyfriend.”

On Oct. 12, 2013, Lurlie, Fraulline’s aunt gave her a plane ticket, pocket money and travel instructions

She was also informed that she will travel on a tourist passport to Singapore.

Agent Niño Rodriguez of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detailed at the airport said a certification issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed that Fraulline and Chua are not licensed and authorized to recruit workers for overseas employment.