18 human trafficking victims rescued in Zambo Port

Friday 18th of February 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY,Feb. 18 (PIA) -– Eighteen persons believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by operatives of the Zamboanga City Police Office and the operatives of the Sea based Anti-Trafficking Task Force on Monday night at the Zamboanga City Port.

City Police Director Sr. Supt. Edwin De Ocampo said the said 18 persons were about to depart for Sabah Malaysia when they were rescued by the police.

He said the victims came from the various parts of the country who were illegally recruited as they failed to present any documents or working Visa.

Meanwhile Philippine Center on Transitional Crimes (PCTC) National Director Felizardo Serapio has commended the Zamboanga City Police Office for the successful rescue.

He said the PCTC 9 is putting focus on human traffickers who are using the city as jump off “lane” to smuggle job seekers to Malaysia.

Serapio confirmed that his office has received reports that most illegal recruiters target female “recruits” from the various provinces of the country who are mostly uneducated.

In most cases, Serapio said, victims are enticed by an offer of a big amount of salary if they work in Malaysia, but when they arrive in their destination they end up in bars or prostitution dens. (JP Alvarez-PIA)