11 trafficking victims rescued in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Eleven human trafficking victims have been rescued in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) reported yesterday.

Naval intelligence operatives received reports that the victims were on board M/V Magnolia Liliflora at Bongao Pier in Barangay Poblacion, NFWM commander Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor said.

The victims, composed of two women, eight men and a three-year-old boy were supposed to go to  Sandakan, Malaysia when they were intercepted.

Philippine authorities have alerted their Malaysian counterparts to pursue the suspects.