233 saved from human trafficking syndicate

MANILA, Philippines - More than 200 prospective Filipino workers were prevented from being victims of a human trafficking syndicate when operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard (PSG) intercepted their Malaysia-bound vessel off Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi last Saturday.

Commodore Enrico Evangelista, PCG southwestern Mindanao district commander, said 233 passengers were rescued aboard M/L Wendelene steered by boat captain Rogelio Anas.

The wooden boat is owned and operated by Bernaida Julwadi, of Canelar, Zamboanga City.

Reports said that at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, two vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) manned by PCG personnel were conducting a routine patrol off Taganak Island when they spotted the boat.

PCG Lt. Cmdr. Alucibetho Piodo said the wooden vessel was heading toward Sabah, Malaysia when it was intercepted.

Authorities said the ship was overloaded since it could only convey 58 passengers.

Evangelista said the rescued passengers, some of them minors, were offloaded on Bubuan Island in Basilan and Pangutaran Island.

Believing that the passengers were victims of human trafficking, the PCG, assisted by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, turned them over to the Visayan Forum Foundation, a non-government organization helping women and children engaged in prostitution.