MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen human trafficking victims have been rescued by authorities in Tawi-Tawi.
Commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio said in a statement that law enforcers had conducted rescue operations, verification, and profiling of passengers on M/V Trisha Kerstin II and M/V Ever Queen of Pacific.
The victims were on board the said vessels traveling from Zamboanga City to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
Four persons were rescued in the operation on February 9. Eleven individuals, including three female toddlers, were saved on February 10.
Based on the report, the individuals were on their way to Papar and Semporna in Sabah without any legal documents for traveling outside the country.
According to the victims, they were supposed to travel to Semporna via a motorized vessel upon arriving at Bongao Port.
They would then be accompanied by two people using the alias Gina and alias Marvin, who allegedly processed their papers for a poultry job in Papar that was owned by a certain Wei Chang, and a palm oil plantation in Semporna owned by a certain Kikil Binti Muhaddan.
Chang and Muhaddan are both Malaysian nationals.
The victims were brought to the Regional Maritime Unit in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and were transferred to the Municipal Social Work and Development Office.
They were then transported to Zamboanga City and turned over to the region’s Department of Social Welfare and Development for counseling.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, warned the public about traveling without legal documents.
“Let us all be vigilant and avoid illegal recruitment and human trafficking schemes. Do not be fooled by false promises of individuals who resort to evil works to earn a living,” he said in the same statement.
— Mae Anne F. Bilolo, INQUIRER.net intern
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