ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Sixteen female victims of trafficking were rescued by authorities at Bongao seaport in Taw-Tawi province on Saturday, April 23.
According to the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NavForWeM) report, the victims were on board MV Kristel Jane 3 when they were rescued by NavForWeM intelligence operatives and Marine Battalion Landing Team 12 of Naval Task Group Tawi-Tawi.
The victims reportedly came from various provinces in the country and were brought to Zamboanga City and onwards to Tawi-Tawi from where they will sail towards Malaysia through the southern backdoor.
Syndicates are taking advantage of Tawi-Tawi’s proximity to neighboring countries, notably Malaysia, to carry out their illegal business. Tawi-Tawi is about 203 kilometers away from Malaysia.
This prompted the Bongao Municipal Government to strengthen its campaign against illegal recruiters and human traffickers.
A report from the Bongao Municipal Government’s Local Council on Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC) said 11 persons were also rescued in line with their campaign against human trafficking since January.
On May 31, 2020, authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying seven victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking at the border of Barangay Poblacion, Turtle Islands, Tawi Tawi Province.