100 suspected human trafficking victims rescued in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—More than 100 persons, 60 of whom are minors, were rescued from suspected human traffickers here shortly before noontime Friday, the police said.

Chief Inspector Gemma Luna of the city police office said the suspected victims of human trafficking were found inside Medio Hotel here.

Based on interviews with the rescued persons, Luna said they were from Basilan and were promised jobs.

She said the minors were told they would get scholarship from Senator Vicente Sotto and jobs from Youth Commissioner Earl Saavedra.

“The said officials had denied knowledge about the existence of the jobs and the scholarships,” Luna said.