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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Suspected human trafficking victim dies as boat bound for Malaysia capsizes off Palawan

Suspected human trafficking victim dies as boat bound for Malaysia capsizes off Palawan

Seven trafficking victims, boat crew rescued; two remain missing

Published Jun 11, 2025 02:30 pm
A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel locates a motorboat carrying nine suspected human trafficking victims and two crew members after it capsized off Balabac, Palawan on June 8, 2025. (Photo: PCG)
A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel locates a motorboat carrying nine suspected human trafficking victims and two crew members after it capsized off Balabac, Palawan on June 8, 2025. (Photo: PCG)

A suspected human trafficking victim died when a motorboat carrying 11 individuals en route to Malaysia capsized off Palawan, crushing her dreams of finding work abroad.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) disclosed Tuesday, June 10, that MBCA (motorbanca) Kumpit was transporting nine passengers, all believed to be victims of human trafficking, and two crew members when it flipped over due to strong waves while in the vicinity waters of Canibugan Island in Balabac, Palawan. 

The incident occurred last June 8.

According to the initial investigation, the nine passengers were supposed to go to Malaysia via a backdoor route in Bataraza, Palawan after being promised high-paying jobs. They came from different parts of the country: Olongapo City, Zambales; Calamba, Laguna; Cavite; Las Piñas City; Tondo, Manila; Talisay City and Mandaue City, Cebu.

The PCG said the victims arrived in Puerto Princesa City and were picked up by a white van before being brought to a coastal pickup point after a seven-hour drive.

“While underway, MBCA Kumpit encountered engine failure and began drifting,” the PCG added.

The boat’s skipper jumped overboard to seek help but failed to return. The survivors clung to the boat but were separated from each other.

The PCG said an unidentified female passenger from Cavite drowned.

Meanwhile, seven trafficking victims and a boat crew were rescued by fishermen and concerned citizens in different parts of Palawan.

Two other individuals remained missing: a trafficking victim whose identity is not yet determined and the 41-year-old boat skipper who is a resident of Balabac.

The PCG deployed BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and a high-speed response boat to locate them.

A follow-up operation was also conducted by the PCG after learning from the survivors that a second batch of illegal recruits was preparing to travel to Malaysia using the same back route door in Bataraza.

“Eventually, the second batch of alleged human trafficking victims, involving ten individuals, had been located and rescued in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan,” the PCG reported.

The second batch claimed to be tourists but the PCG said an investigation was jointly launched with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to verify the tip from the first batch of survivors and confirm their identities and connections to alleged trafficking activity in Palawan.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan instructed coast guard units to intensify coastal and seaborne patrols at the suspected jump-off points and embarkation sites.

“Monitoring and checkpoint operations are also being coordinated with local authorities to prevent further illegal departures,” he added.

Related Tags

PCG Ronnie Gil Gavan Palawan human trafficking Malaysia
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