(Photo courtesy of DMW-9)
ZAMBOANGA CITY- Authorities arrested three suspected illegal recruiters and rescued eight women from human-trafficking syndicate here on Tuesday, August 11.
PLt Col. Romeo D. Balubal Jr., Chief of the Women and Children Protection Center-Mobile Force Unit (WCPC-MFU), said that the illegal operation, conducted in Barangay Tetuan, was brought to their attention by an informant.
A raid conducted by the Women and Children Protection Center–Mobile Force Unit (WCPC-MFU) , in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 1st Mobile Force Company, Police Station 6 and the Barangay Tetuan Council, led to the rescue of the eight women in their 20s, who were promised jobs abroad.
Balubal said recruiters were planning to bring the women to Manila before taking them to Saudi Arabia for employment as domestic helpers.
Meanwhile, information from the Department of Migrant Workers-9 identified one of the recruiters as a certain Madam who reportedly financed the illegal operation and provided allowances to the victims.
The victims were brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Processing Center for Displaced Persons for assistance while the three suspects are facing charges under the country's anti-trafficking law.