8 women, 2 minors, about to be smuggled out saved

MANILA, Philippines—Eight women, including two minors, who were about to be smuggled out of the country, have been rescued by authorities in separate operations in Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi, Vice President Jejomar Binay reported on Friday.

“Yesterday’s rescue included two minors from the Zamboanga peninsula, aged 16 and 17 years old, while the operations on May 23 led to the rescue of eight women and the arrest of one suspect. We believe the women were about to be smuggled out of the country,” Binay said in a statement.

Binay, who also sits as the chairman emeritus of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat), said human trafficking syndicates were using the Bongao seaport to “facilitate the transportation of the victims” to foreign destinations.

“Most of the women were from Zamboanga, but some came from Metro Manila and even as far as La Union,” he said.

He added that the rescue operations were led by combined forces of the Tawi-Tawi Police Provincial Anti-Trafficking Task Group and the Bongao Inter-Agency Task Forces Against Trafficking.

Binay lauded the successful rescues and said the latest string of operations demonstrated “the government’s commitment to curb human trafficking in the country.”

The Vice President also announced the rescue of 23 women, including one minor, who were being peddled for sexual services in Calamba, Laguna, following an entrapment operation led by the Women and Children’s Protection Desk of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and members of the Iacat.

The operation also led to the arrest of four alleged pimps, whom Binay described as “notorious” in the Calamba area.

All victims are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Binay added.

He said the suspects will be charged with violation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The Iacat previously rescued 50 women in Zamboanga City, most of whom were minors, also suspected to be human trafficking victims.