ZAMBOANGA CITY – The sea-based Anti-Trafficking Task Force, in collaboration with 14 other government agencies, rescued 38 victims of human trafficking during a maritime operation here on Friday, Aug. 8.
ZAMBOANGA City Hall. (Wikipedia)
The 38 individuals, including four minors, were on board the vessel ML J- Sayang docked in a private wharf enroute to Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi province when they were intercepted by the task force.
Three recruiters who tried to blend in with the group were arrested.
The victims were lured by false promises of employment abroad, particularly jobs in China and Malaysia, and were found to have been rescued before by authorities. They were said to have been rerouted to avoid being detected.
The rescued individuals were provided with care and support prior to their departure to their provinces.