MindaNews » 15 human trafficking victims rescued in Tawi-tawi.

By Mindanews
May 26, 2012

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/25 May) – Combined government forces have rescued 15 human trafficking victims in two separate operations in the province of Tawi-tawi, officials disclosed Friday.

Eight of the 15 were rescued on Wednesday while the remaining seven, including one minor, were rescued on Thursday, according to Tawi-tawi police director Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson.

He said the victims, all female, were rescued while they were about to be transported out of the country, most likely to nearby Malaysia, from the capital municipality of Bongao in Tawi-tawi.

He said the victims were turned over to the Visayan Forum Foundation (VFF), a non-stock, non-profit organization that works for the protection of vulnerable migrants, including victims of human trafficking, forced labor, and other modern-day forms of slavery.

Ailyn Repadas, a VFF staff, disclosed that some of the victims are from Zamboanga City and nearby provinces in the region. There were also some from the Visayas and Luzon.

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