Human traffickers warned

TAWI-TAWI – Philippine authorities warned human traffickers to stop their illegal activities or face the full force of the law as consequences of their actions.

The warning came after security forces rescued over a dozen people, including three toddlers, from two passenger vessels in the capital town of Bongao. 

Officials said the victims, seven women, three children and five men were found among the passengers of M/V Trisha Kerstin II and M/V Ever Queen of the Pacific which originated from Zamboanga City. 

Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, said the victims were rescued separately during recent operations. “The operation resulted in the rescue of four females who were potential victims of trafficking-in-person and five males and six females, including three female toddlers,” he said. 

Racadio said the victims were recruited to work on a poultry farm in the agricultural town of Papar and in a palm plantation in Semporna town, all in Sabah, Malaysia, just 237 nautical miles from Tawi-Tawi. 

“Based on the report, the individuals will travel to Papar and Semporna, both in Sabah, despite the absence of any legal document for traveling outside the country. The victims revealed that upon arrival at Bongao Port, they were to be ferried to Semporna using a motorized vessel,” he said. 

Racadio said the victims were supposed to be accompanied by a man and woman who were identified only by their first name - Gina and Marvin - in Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi. “They will be accompanied by Alias Gina and Alias Marvin, who according to them will do the processing of their papers and get them a job,” he said. 

The rescue operation, according to Racadio, was a combined effort from the Marine Battalion Landing Teams 7 and 12 and law enforcement agencies under the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office and Municipal Interagency Committee on Anti-Trafficking. 

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, lauded the successful operation. “Let us all be vigilant and avoid illegal recruitment and human trafficking schemes. Do not be fooled by false promises of individuals who resort to evil works to earn a living. Be reminded that we cannot travel abroad without appropriate documents and legal processes,” he said. 

Racadio and Galido did not say whether the victims were all residents of Zamboanga or recruited elsewhere. (Mindanao Examiner)