Two Filipinos have filed human trafficking and serious illegal detention charges against six persons for allegedly detaining them and forcing them to do online sex shows.

The complaint was filed before the Lipa City Prosecutor’s Office for violations of Section 4(a) and Section 4(c) of Republic Act (RA) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Named in the complaint were the alleged owners and employees of Tamber International Placement Agency, namely: Adel En Nouri who is an Italian national based in London, Yuness En Nouri, Mohammed En Nouri, Fatima Arfaoui, Norminda Sope Esperila, and Angelito De Guzman Sayco.

In their complaint filed last Oct. 20, the two Filipinos -- whose names were redacted by the Manila Bulletin to protect their privacy -- claimed: “We were systematically deprived of liberty” at the Tamber International’s office in Lipa City.

They also alleged that they were denied sleep or rest until the video calls with foreigners were complete, and endured verbal assault and exploitation.

The complainants told the prosecutors that they were approached last Jan. 10 while they were still working at a mall in Lipa City by a group of persons who introduced themselves as recruiters for Tamber International.

“They promised us that we would have a good job, a high salary, and free accommodation as they presented it to us,” recalled the victims who noted that the recruiters claim to be working for a legitimate agency sending sales associates to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

They said they were enticed by the offer and decided to apply.

Later, they claimed they were introduced to the alleged owner of Tamber International, Adel En Nouri, via a Facebook video call.

They said that after paying P10,000 each as initial payment of the P80,000 placement fee, they alleged that they were asked by Adel En Nouri to work first as virtual assistants at their office in Lipa City while awaiting to be deployed.

They also said that “HR/recruiters, Norminda Sope Esperila and Angelito De Guzman Sayco, made us chat and video call with foreign customers.”

“Initially, these were just simple conversations, but later, we were instructed to flirt and show lewd acts to the people we were talking to,” they also alleged.

Thereafter, they claimed that they were forced to do online sex shows.

“We were told we could earn P5,000 per video session, but this money was never given to us because they said they would save it to pay for the placement fee,” they added.

The complainants alleged that last Feb. 3, the foreigners we were talking to started requesting indecent photos and videos.

When they refused, they said that “HR/recruiters Norminda Sope Esperila and Angelito De Guzman Sayco threatened us that we would no longer be able to leave and would forfeit the placement fee we paid, including the earnings from our first video calls with the foreigners.”

“They blackmailed us by threatening to post our nude photos and videos online,” they also alleged in the complaint.

“Due to fear and pressure, we were forced to follow their command,” they said.

However, they added that they managed to escape last Feb. 9 and sought the help of family members to report to authorities.

Published reports stated that Adel En Nouri has been charged with human trafficking and serious illegal detention before the Prosecutor’s Office of Bacoor City and Pasay City.

It was not known immediately if the complaints have been resolved.