Mail-order-bride Business Common
But Illegal in Philippines
SunStar Daily, 20 April1999
REGIONAL Investigation Chief Carmelo Valmoria arrested yesterday an American
national and his Filipina wife for allegedly operating a mail-order-bride business
inside a hotel in Barangay Lahug, Cebu city.
Valmoria identified the two as Oscar Pridgen and his wife, Jessie. They are
in the custody of the regional intelligence and investigation division.
Police confiscated letters inviting Filipinas to join Philippine Girls Unlimited
Publication to meet and marry foreigners.
One letter had the date when the couple was supposed to hold interviews for
prospective Filipinas. SPO4 Raul Sabaldan said there were more than 50 women
at the hotel's function room last Sunday.
Yesterday, three Caucasian males interviewed 20 women in formal attire at the
same place. Valmoria said that is a clear violation of Republic Act 6955, which
prohibits the practice of maintaining Filipinas and arranging their marriages
to foreigners.
He said offenders can sentenced up to six years and one day to eight years imprisonment.
As for foreigners convicted of this crime, they are immediately deported and
banned from re-entering the country. Most of the women who showed up at the
"interview" said they were just accompanying a friend, although they also entertained
the possibility of being chosen themselves.
A woman in her mid-20's, who works at a Japanese company in Cebu, said she does
not mind having a foreign husband as she is tired of Filipinos.
Most of the girls later fled when they noticed that police and the media were
covering the activity.
Valmoria said these women can be used as witnesses. However, if they won't do
it, his office will get the testimonies of the five undercover policewomen who
mingled with the crowd.
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