MANILA, Philippines - Authorities arrested a suspected leader of a human trafficking syndicate that recruits minors to work locally and abroad in Zamboanga City, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission said Wednesday.
PAOCC said that Leziel Padel was arrested last Tuesday during an operation conducted by agents of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, the Regional Intelligence Unit, and the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police in Region 9; and the Naval Intelligence Service Group -Western Mindanao.
PAOCC, headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., and its executive director Chief Supt. Reginald Villasanta, supported the operation.
Padel, a native of Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, was nabbed at around 10:45 a.m. last July 23 on Lustre St. in Barangay Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City based on a tip-off received by PCTC.
She was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act No. 9231 or Anti-Child Labor Law, issued by Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court Judge Peter Eisma, who recommended no bail for the suspect.
PAOCC said Padel’s group was using various methods to lure underage girls to work as domestic helpers in Malaysia and some provinces in Mindanao.