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Navy rescues 15 would-be trafficking victims in Tawi-Tawi

Philippines | Luzon

Navy rescues 15 would-be trafficking victims in Tawi-Tawi

By Liza Jocson

ZAMBOANGA CITY â€“ Fifteen would-be trafficking victims were rescued by the Philippine Navy and other agencies during joint law enforcement operations from June 20 to 21.

They were rescued after arriving at the Bongao, Tawi-Tawi port aboard three vessels â€“ the MV Trisha Kerstine II, MV Everqueen of Asia, and PB Lady Mera.

They were from Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu, and Butuan City and reportedly enroute to Sabah via the southern backdoor.

Police said they did not possess the necessary documents legalizing their travel. They claimed to have been promised employment opportunities in their destination.

A social worker who interviewed them described them as potential illegal entrants who are vulnerable to human trafficking.

They were brought to the Tawi-Tawi Maritime Police Station for further profiling and documentation and later turned over to the Ministry of Social Welfare for counselling and stress debriefing.

The operations were conducted by Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) through their naval intelligence operatives, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Tawi-Tawi, Philippine Air Force intelligence operatives, and the Local Government Unit-Local Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LGU-LCAT VAWC) Municipal Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (MIACAT).

Related Tags

Human trafficking Tawi-Tawi Bongao

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