2 human traffickers nabbed in Zamboanga, 130 rescued

The PAOCC said the PAOCC and Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force members nabbed suspected traffickers Orlando Daniel and Benjin Bacaltos last July 3.

 

The PAOCC, said  Daniel was arrested at around 6:30 a.m.  while onboard a ship bound for Sabah via Bakungan, Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi.

 

Authorities also intercepted 48 passengers believed to be potential victims of human trafficking.  The passengers were composed of 36 adults and 12 minors who came from Davao and Zamboanga provinces.

 

Later that day, operatives, along with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment-Region 9, apprehended Bacaltos and rescued his 82 potential victims on board MV Mary Joy 3 and MV Ever Queen Emilia, bound for Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi via Jolo and Bongao routes in Sulu.

 

The PAOCC said the victims, among them three women and two minors, were deep-sea divers or "muro-ami" and fishermen.

 

"They were recruited to conduct deep sea fishing and fish drying production in Sitangkai,” PAOCC said, quoting the ZSBATTF report.

 

The victims told PAOCC their employers promised to pay them when they reach Sitangkai while their recruiter shouldered the transportation fare.