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Navy rescues 10 Malaysia-bound trafficking victims

Philippines | National

Navy rescues 10 Malaysia-bound trafficking victims

By Martin Sadongdong

Ten individuals who were alleged victims of human trafficking bound for Malaysia were rescued by joint government forces in Zamboanga City, the Philippine Navy (PN) said Saturday, August 26.

Photo courtesy of Naval Forces Western Mindanao

The victims were rescued at a wharf in Brgy. Baliwasan, Zamboanga City last August 23 by operatives of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), Women and Children Protection Center - Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU), Department of Social Welfare and Development in Zamboanga Peninsula (DSWD IX), City Social Welfare and Development Office - Zamboanga City (CSWDO-ZC), and Regional Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking (RIACAT 9).

The identities of the victims were withheld for security reasons.

Ensign Niño Fernando Cunan, acting spokesperson of NFWM, said the victims were recruited by a certain “Joy” from Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay who enticed them to work in Malaysia “because of her connections and linkages.”

“One of the rescued individuals disclosed that he previously worked in Malaysia, having [been] paid P4,000 under the false assumption that his travel arrangements were legitimate,” Cunan said.

Cunan added that the victims "were aware of their condition" that they would be sent to Malaysia for an undocumented employment.

The victims were transferred to the WCPC-MFU for further interview, documentation, and proper counseling and stress debriefing.

Related Tags

Malaysia human trafficking Zamboanga Peninsula Philippine Navy

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