DSWD provides cash aid to Filipino victims of human trafficking in Pampanga 

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday said that it assisted victims of alleged labor trafficking in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

As a member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), the DSWD assisted the Filipinos among the more than 1,000 victims. Some were foreign nationals from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Some 60 Filipino victim-survivors received [P5,000] each through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program of the DSWD. The remaining Filipino victims are continuously being assessed by the Central Luzon Field Office,” said the agency in a statement.

READ: Over 1,000 foreigners, Filipinos rescued in Pampanga during anti-trafficking ops  

The DSWD said it distributed packed meals to all the victims from May 5 to May 7.

Meanwhile, the DSWD said that the foreign nationals were assisted by the Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Health, and the International Organization for Migration.

“As an active member-agency of IACAT, the DSWD will continue to provide comprehensive service to the victim-survivors to assist them in the recovery and reintegration to society,” the agency said.

The victim-survivors will temporarily stay at the Tahanan ng Inyong Pag-Asa Center of IACAT, while others were handed over to the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group in Camp Crame, Quezon City. — With research from Aliah Gumasing, INQUIRER.net trainee

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JPV/abc