The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escorted back home 24 Filipinos who are victims of human trafficking after they were saved by the authorities from being sent to Malaysia.
PCG Station Isabela personnel assisted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the safe and swift transportation of the Trafficking in Person (TIP) victims at the Port of Isabela City in Basilan on Sunday morning, July 17.
They boarded MV Ciara Joie 8 at 9:45 a.m. and arrived in Zamboanga City at 11:30 a.m. where they will be properly documented before they are released to their respective families.
Initial investigation showed that the victims were rescued by the Maluso municipal police last July 15 just as they were about to be transported to Malaysia where they will be forced to work illegally.
However, the victims had to wait for two more days before they were finally escorted by the PCG.
It was revealed that some of the victims are still minors since their age ranges from 11 to 60 years old. They are residents of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental, and Basilan.
“The TIP victims remain under the custody of DSWD – Zamboanga City while coordinationwith their respective families is ongoing,” the PCG said.