Trafficked teens walk for 6 hours to freedom

Two of four minors forced to work as farmhands in Pampanga province escaped on Friday by walking for six hours to get to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) where they got on a bus bound for Manila.

When they reached the Kamuning police station in Quezon City at 2:30 p.m., they reported their ordeal to authorities, leading to a follow-up operation in which their recruiters were arrested and the two other victims were saved.

Suspects in custody

Cecilio Andiano, 49, and Ronald Lagman, 45, both residents of San Luis, Pampanga, underwent inquest proceedings on Saturday for violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and R.A. 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

Both remain in the custody of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Police report

According to the report of Supt. Ariel Capocao, Kamuning police station commander, the four trafficked minors — out-of-school boys between the ages of 14 and 17 — were recruited by Andiano at Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City, on April 4 to work as farmhands in exchange for P3,500.

They then rode a public utility bus to Candaba, Pampanga, “without the knowledge of their parents,” the report said.

When the minors — a 17-year-old, a 15-year-old and two 14-year-olds — arrived at Andiano’s residence in Barangay Talang, they were fanned out to different employers to work in duck raising.

“They did not like their work and asked Andiano if they could go home but the latter refused,” the report added.

Victims not fed

Case investigator SPO1 Annaliza Torrefiel of the QCPD told the Inquirer on Sunday that according to the minors, they were not fed by Andiano.

The other two victims who were working for Lagman at his farm in Pulong Maligaya were rescued by Kamuning policemen around midnight on Saturday.