Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) — Authorities rescued eight victims of suspected human trafficking at the Port of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, authorities said Friday.
In a statement, the Naval Forces Western Mindanao said the victims from Zamboanga City were supposed to proceed to Sandakan, Sabah without documentation from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or other related agencies.
The victims, 25 to 49 years old, were four males and four females.
Local authorities and the navy rescued them on Feb. 18 on board the motor vessel Trisha Kerstin II, the statement added.
They were first brought to the Regional Maritime Unit-BAR at the Tawi-Tawi Maritime Police Station for documentation and profiling.
They were then turned over to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of Social Welfare and Development Office in Bongao for counseling and release.
