A BRIT dad is battling to carry his stepdaughter to the UK after she was allegedly abused and compelled into slave labour within the Philippines.

Simon Lee, from Lancashire, claims nine-year-old Elisha was subjected to horrific remedy by a relative and was days away from being offered for simply £700.

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He stated the Philippine Nationwide Police (PNP) managed to trace her down and uncovered she had been locked away in a dirty house.

Simon, 52, informed The Solar how his stepdaughter – who’s now affected by pneumonia after her ordeal – vanished after neighbours within the Philippines observed she was being mistreated.

Elisha’s mum Havana – Simon’s spouse – lives within the UK on a piece visa and was sending a refund for Elisha’s care as she was being taken care of by a member of the family within the capital, Manila.

However Simon claims locals noticed Elisha was getting used for slave labour and being pressured to work lengthy hours on a market stall.

He stated: “We had a message from a involved citizen inside Pasay metropolis market.

“It learn that Elisha was being overwhelmed and belittled and being pressured to work from 7am to midnight, or generally 2am to 7pm every day. 

“She was alone and being approached by males.

“She was additionally being starved as a punishment if she did not promote and made to stroll barefoot alone by means of the streets of Manila.”

Heartbreaking photographs shared with The Solar present the teen stood alone at a stall attempting to make use of an umbrella to shade from the solar.

Simon stated he and his spouse, 40, tried to talk to Elisha’s guardian on the finish of February concerning the state of affairs.

However he claimed all contact then stopped and the teen wasn’t heard from for weeks.

“Her cellphone went darkish, no communication and we have been each blocked,” Simon added.

“Within the final dialog [with her guardian] we have been informed that Elisha could be removed and that her passport could be destroyed and we might by no means see her once more.

“The final sighting of our daughter was a photograph taken inside a market.

“For weeks we tried to speak because the Philippines is thought for little one trafficking.

“We have been in a lot turmoil, not sleeping or consuming.”

Simon stated the few messages they acquired from Elisha’s guardian have been threatening.

In an instance seen by The Solar, the relative despatched a photograph of a knife.

In desperation, the couple went to the police within the UK – who Simon stated nearly turned them away.

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Simon added: “The response was it is a matter for the embassy.

“I pleaded she is simply 9 – then an officer stepped ahead and stated he would take the small print.”

The PNP – the nation’s level of contact for Interpol – then stepped in, and Elisha was lastly tracked down in a vile house on the finish of March.

Simon stated: “The Manila police and Interpol flooded the realm and Elisha was discovered malnourished and in an house that was not clear.

“The constructing was stuffed with drug customers and entry to 1 communal rest room.

“The police handled it as a type of kidnapping and modern-day slavery.”

Elisha was taken into the care of the Division of Social Welfare and Improvement (DSWD) and is being taken care of by her mum’s cousin.

Simon and his spouse at the moment are preventing to get the teen to the UK, the place they will take care of her correctly.

They’ve arrange a JustGiving web page and a GoFundMe web page in a bid to pay for his or her pricey flights.

She desperately wants a traditional childhood. She is in want of remedy due to the situations she was saved in

Simon Lee

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“Elisha is a traumatised little woman who has been overtly abused and used for financial acquire, held towards her will with no communication to us,” Simon stated.

“She has misplaced weight and has now fallen very ailing with pneumonia.

“I am in talks with my native MP to try to get us flown on the market to carry Elisha again to security within the UK to get the rehabilitation and counselling she so sorely wants.

“I perceive she is not a UK citizen, however I’m and the British authorities ought to have extra concern for a younger woman in someplace like Manila that’s harmful in areas.”

Simon, who can be dad to 2 sons, stated he and Havana have embellished Elisha’s room prepared for when she will come to the UK.

He added: “She desperately wants a traditional childhood.

“She is in want of remedy due to the situations she was saved in. Please assist us carry her dwelling.

“We’d like assist to carry her dwelling. The International Workplace has agreed to assist, however we want assist for flights.

“Our native MP has additionally provided his assist, and counselling for when she arrives within the UK.

“We’re grateful to everybody however simply want the ultimate push to carry her dwelling.”

The Solar contacted Lancashire Police and the PNP for feedback.