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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 123 victims of human trafficking saved in Sulu – Navy

123 victims of human trafficking saved in Sulu – Navy

Published Sep 20, 2023 08:17 am

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Law enforcers rescued a total of 123 trafficking-in-persons (TIPs) in Pangutaran, Sulu after they were allegedly forced to use illegal drugs so they could endure the harsh working condition that they were subjected to, the Philippine Navy (PN) disclosed on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

The victims were found at Tubalubac Island in Brgy. Aluh Bunah on Sept. 19 by personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), Ministry of Labor and Employment in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Women and Children Protection Center-Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU), and Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

Rear Adm. Donn Anthony L. Miraflor, commander of NFWM, said the rescued victims were enticed by a group of recruiters and handlers led by a certain “Jammang” with a work outside of their provinces and a lucrative salary. Most of them came from Cebu and Bohol.

However, the victims were brought to a residential unit in Tubalubac Island where they were subjected to forced labor, particularly in spearfishing.

“Further, they were forced into using illegal drugs, specifically shabu, to endure their work conditions,” Miraflor said.

The NFWM said Jammang and 15 of his cohorts abandoned the victims and escaped the island upon learning in advance that joint government forces were conducting a rescue operation.

The troops also found a garand rifle, an M14 rifle, and M16 rifle, assorted ammunition and magazines, nine non-electric blasting caps, time fuse, and around 10 grams of suspected shabu inside the residential unit where the victims were staying.

Miraflor lauded the sustained accomplishments of the joint operating forces in combatting human trafficking activities in the Western Mindanao region.

“The successful operation serves as a testament to the dedication and commitment of NFWM to protect vulnerable individuals from human traffickers, ultimately working towards a safer and more secure future for the community,” he said.

The victims were turned over to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development in BARMM for documentation and necessary support while the confiscated pieces of evidence were handed over to the Sulu police for proposer disposition.

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