by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Blue House Lounge trial resumed today as the government continues to presents its case in chief against two police officers accused of promoting prostitution at the former brothel. A co-defendant in the case who pleaded guilty and testified in the federal case against her former boss, Song Ja Cha, took the stand today detailing exactly what happened inside the Upper Tumon club.

Of note was that the government requested we do not show this witness' face as they allege she is a victim.

Saknin Weria spent about five years working for Blue House Lounge owner Cha. Weria was known as "Jackie" and has been referred to by some of the government's witnesses as Cha's "second lieutenant" who helped enforce the rules and maintain control over the workers. After being introduced to cha through a relative, Weria initially began working at the Cha Cha Club, which was located on the backside of the Blue House Lounge and operated as a live music and dancing night club. She testified that over time, she eventually moved over to the Blue House Lounge where she quickly learned that she would be doing much more than bartending and waitressing.

"She tell the girls, 'It's okay if the customer touch you or kiss you or have sex with you because you just go home and wash off,'" she said.

Weria was allowed to leave the establishment at night and eventually left in 2006 after she got pregnant from having sex at the Blue House Lounge. Although she knew what she was doing was wrong, Weria testified that she returned to support her daughter and family making about $1,200 a month.

Weria said disobeying Cha's instructions was not an option, saying, "She'll punish us from going out with the other girls, punish us from food." Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Quan asked her if Cha got mad, which Weria confirmed she did. When Quan asked what Cha did, Weria said, "She'll tell us that she knows some powerful people where if we make her mad she's gonna call them."

Weria testified that Cha claimed to know a lot of police officers making the girls scared to disobey her.

Over time, Weria became the interpreter for cha who recruited young girls from Chuuk through her aunt's boyfriend, whose daughters were also recruited to work at the Blue House Lounge.

She recalled assisting with the recruitment of two girls, Lucy and Penny, from Chuuk, who thought they were coming to Guam to work at a restaurant or a store. When they arrived Weria took their passports. "Mama San said for them to stay with her until they pay back what she spent for them," she detaile. Quan asked, "Did she say anything else to make them stay?" to which she replied, "She's gonna arrest them or call the cops on them.

"She tell me to tell them to sign the paper and the paper is for them owing mamas an money for the passport, their ticket, their papers from Chuuk and the paper is for also if they ever run away she'll show the police that they owe her money they owe Mama San."

Weria testified she was tasked to literally show the girls how to treat and satisfy customers in the private room with the purchase of a $40 can of beer. "The way I see their face - they were scared," she said. "While I was having sex with my customer, she was like, 'Are you for real? This is what I'm gonna do?' She's just shocked."

While there has been significant testimony about Cha, who is not being tried at this time, it needs to be noted that there has been no mention made yet of Police Officers David Q. Manila or Anthony Quenga, who are being tried for their alleged involvement.

The trial resumes on Tuesday afternoon.