BATANGAS CITY, Philippines—Eight alleged abused workers were rescued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) from a Batangas businessman in Laurel town Thursday morning, police said.

Senior Police Officer 1 Emmanuel Rabe, a CIDG investigator, identified the victims as Danilo Subiate, 18; Glen Pantallano, 18; Edmundo Paculnang, 22; Marlon Gaco, 18; Marlon Rimullo, 21; Gerry Pacilanang, 28; Joseph Cronel, 23; and Joseph Mangubat.

According to Rabe, their office had been receiving letters from the parents of the workers regarding the alleged inhuman working conditions suffered by their children.

At about 5 a.m., joint elements of the CIDG Crame and CIDG Batangas proceeded to the village of Leviste to verify the report.

“When we arrived there, we saw the pitiful condition of the workers,” Rabe said.

An initial investigation conducted revealed that the victims were hired by businessman Vicente Encarnacion, 44, to be fish cage caretakers.

The victims said they were forced to work even they were hungry, not paid and were also threatened by Encarnacion with death when they tried to escape.

The arrested suspect was brought to Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9208 (Trafficking in Persons) while the victims were brought to the hospital for medical examination.