Over 1,000 IPs rescued from streets since December 11 — NCRPO

MANILA, Philippines — More than 1,000 members of indigenous groups who traveled to Metro Manila for the holiday season have been rescued since December 11, according to data from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

According to NCRPO Director Guillermo Eleazar, there are now 1,030 indigenous people (IP) being assisted as of Tuesday, Christmas Day.  A total of 202 were identified as Aetas, 198 came from the Badjao ethnic group, and 630 from other tribes.

Majority of those who were rescued are minors, with 619 IPs or 60 percent, while there were 411 adults, comprising over 39 percent.

Most of the IPs were found under the jurisdiction of the Manila Police District (372), followed by the Quezon City Police District (352), Southern Police District (213), the Eastern Police District (EPD), and the Northern Police District (NPD).

The IPs were either assisted by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offices, turned over to barangay officials, or brought back to their relatives; however in Manila, 23 were charged for violating city ordinances. /je

READ: 967 IPs rescued from Metro streets during holiday season — NCRPO