PH gov’t hopes Kurdistan will turn over Filipinos nabbed for human trafficking

The Philippine government said on Wednesday that it is hoping the Kurdistan government would turn over two Filipinos arrested in its country for human trafficking activities.

Arrested by Kurdish authorities last Feb. 28 for estafa and immigration violations were Gie Viterbo Rodeo and Gil Ferar Rodeo.

Both were allegedly responsible for recruiting others as spa attendants in Iraq and eventually forced to carry out sexual acts to their clients.

Darlene Pajarito, Executive Director of government’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said they have already consulted with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the possible turnover of the two to the Philippine government.

She added that they would also communicate with the Philippine Embassy in Iraq to request Kurdish authorities to send the two to Manila upon completion of their internal processes.

The Rodeos are the subject of warrants of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court of Las Piñas for syndicated illegal recruitment and estafa.

Kurdish authorities carried out the arrest based on complaints filed by at least three members of the Filipino community and one Iraqi who alleged that they have been defrauded by the two. It also turned out that the couple had no valid residency permits in Kurdistan. RAM

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