MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday said had started its own investigation into the alleged trafficking of Lumads from Mindanao to Pangasinan.
In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacquline de Guia said 34 Lumads escaped from Sual, Pangasinan, where they were forced to work at a fish pen for 15 hours a day without pay.
CHR said 28 of those who escaped went to the CHR main office, who then reported the complaints to the police.
The CHR, the National Commission on Indigenous People, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Civil Society Organizations offered the Lumads financial and transportation help.
The CHR in coordination with police in Sual Municipal Police Station and the Social Welfare and Development Office of Pangasinan rescued another 17 Lumads, who were recruited to work in the Pangasinan-based fish pen.
The CHR is also monitoring a similar case at a fish pen in Rosario, La Union, where 10 alleged Lumads had escaped.
(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)