Three women who filed a labor complaint against Shangri-la Massage and Spa in December 2012 claiming they were forced into sex trade were allegedly threatened and harassed last weekend. The Filipina women were working at the Coffee Beanery in Palau as part of a work program while their case is being prosecuted. Sources indicate a man walked into the Coffee Beanery and made death threats to the three ladies. The man is said to be a former client of the controversial Shangri-la Massage and Spa parlor, side effects where the women formerly worked and were allegedly forced to sell their bodies for sex. One of the victims of the incident, who asked to remain anonymous, told OTV that she fears for her life and that quote, “she’s scared of everything.” She declined to comment further, in fear of jeopardizing the pending case along with the latest complaint filed with the police.
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Attorney General Victoria Roe confirmed that the said incident happened over the weekend, however she told OTV that the AG’s office has not filed any charges in court as of this news report. Police told OTV that information regarding the incident is not public information yet and that the investigation is still ongoing. The labor complaint filed by the three women along with four others led to a police raid at the Shangri-la Massage and Spa and the DW Motel. Managers and employees of both establishments, including a police officer, an immigration officer, a local businessman and a former senatorial candidate are now facing criminal charges that include human trafficking, prostitution and money laundering. The case is the biggest human trafficking and prostitution case ever filed in Palau’s Supreme Court.
