ILIGAN CITY – Authorities rescued 15 individuals who were purportedly potential victims of human trafficking in Tawi-Tawi.
Combined elements from Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 and 12, together with the enforcement agencies under the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office and Municipal Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-trafficking (MIACAT) Bongao conducted a rescue operation, verification and profiling of passengers onboard M/V Trisha Kerstin II and M/V Ever Queen of Pacific, said Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi Commander Brigadier General Romeo Racadio.
The vessels sailed from Zamboanga City to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
The operation resulted in the rescue of four females who were potential victims of trafficking-in-person (TIP) on Feb. 9, and five males and six females, including three female toddlers, on Feb. 10.
Based on the report, the individuals will travel to Papar and Semporna, both of Sabah, despite the absence of any legal documents for traveling outside the country.
The victims revealed that upon arrival at Bongao Port, they were to be ferried to Semporna using a motorized vessel.
They will be accompanied by Alias Gina and Alias Marvin, who, according to them, will do the processing of their papers and get them jobs on a poultry farm in Papar owned by a certain Wei Chang, a Malaysian national, and a palm oil plantation in Semporna owned by a certain Kikil Binti Muhaddan, also a Malaysian national.
The TIP victims were brought to Regional Maritime Unit-BAR, Port Area, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, and turned over to the Municipal Social Work and Development Office (MSWDO).
They were subsequently transported to Zamboanga City and turned over to DSWD-9 for counseling.
Western Mindanao Command Commander Lieutenant General Roy Galido lauded the operatives for saving the TIP victims.
“Let us all be vigilant and avoid illegal recruitment and human trafficking schemes,” said Galido.
“Do not be fooled by false promises of individuals who resort to evil works to earn a living," added Galido.
“Be reminded that we cannot travel abroad without appropriate documents and legal processes,” he added.