Abu Dhabi: The Philippines embassy is closely monitoring a police case involving nine women allegedly forced into prostitution by human traffickers.
Last week Abu Dhabi Police announced that they had broken up a human trafficking ring and taken 17 people, all Filipinos, into custody.
Adelio Angelito Cruz, Consul-General, told Gulf News that "we are keeping a close eye on the developments of this case. The police have told us that the investigation is still on to find the people who sponsored these women and brought them into the UAE."
According to the police, nine Filipinas were locked up in three apartments in the city and forced to work as prostitutes after being lured into the country with the promise of attractive salaries.
Arrests
Those arrested include three women who are believed to have been running the brothel in three apartments in the city and a man who was working as a waiter in a hotel.
Colonel Hamad Al Hammadi, director of the CID department said that large sums of money were also found with the gang. $18,000 and Dh12,128 was found in cash besides Dh54,000 in the bank account of one accused.
Colonel Dr Rashid Bu Rashid, head of the organised crime section, said that the passports of the victims were taken away from them as soon as they reached the airport.
