31 trafficking victims rescued in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Authorities prevented 31 people including five minors from traveling illegally to Malaysia and Thailand in separate police operations in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi recently.

On Wednesday, members of the Maritime Police and Violence Against Women and Children’s Desk intercepted nine victims of human trafficking who were about to depart from the Sanga-Sanga Airport in Bongao.

The victims, who were reportedly headed to Tawau in Malaysia and Bangkok in Thailand, have no travel documents, according to Rosabelle Sulani, chief of the Bongao inter-agency committee against trafficking.

The victims were reportedly offered work as customer service representatives and would be slipped out of the country by a recruiter identified only as Sky.

On Thursday, authorities intercepted 22 people including five minors at the port of Bongao following reports that a vessel bound for Malaysia was carrying victims of human trafficking.

Port authorities became suspicious after the victims failed to answer basic questions, prompting them to call the police.

Investigation showed the victims were planning to go to Kota Kinabalu, Kunnak, Segama Lahad Datu, Sempornah and Pangkalakan.

The trip was reportedly organized by five Filipinos whom authorities identified as Riza Balucan, Jomar Tabor, Naning, Talib and Usman.

The victims were turned over to the Bongao social services and development office for proper disposition.

The Maritime Police reminded the public to be wary of job offers abroad without clear documents as they could end up as victims of human trafficking.