Wednesday, December 20, 2006 5 Cebuanas escape from employer in Malaysia
FIVE Cebuanas are currently hiding in Miri City, Malaysia after escaping from their employer who allegedly forced them to work as guest relations officers in a night spot.
The women were identified as Grace Gabatu, Michelle Redelusa, Cheryl Trucio, Rona Adrian Bless Pangga and Precious Adel Hermias, all from Cebu City.
Nelia Hermias, Precious’ aunt, went to broadcaster and Sun.Star columnist Bobby Nalzaro to tell him of their plight. Nalzaro of GMA Radio then called them via long distance.
A Filipino reportedly took them in, after their Malaysian employer alerted authorities and declared them wanted persons in the area.
Miri City is in the island of Sabah, a three-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital.
Nelia said the girls were recruited by one Roselyn Entrera in Cebu City and were promised work as singers in Malaysia. They left Cebu last month and took a flight to Kota Kinabalu.
From Kota Kinabalu, they took another plane to Miri.
When they reached the city, they were allegedly forced to work as guest relations officers instead of singers.
One of the girls also alleged that they were not paid if they did not drink with the male customers.
Because they could no longer take the kind of work they were forced to do, they escaped.
Nalzaro also called up Josephus Jimenez, labor attaché to Malaysia, who assured he would do his best to help the girls.
Jimenez, a Cebuano, promised to send a representative to arrange for the fares and documents of the women to bring them back to the country. (BGN of Superbalita)
