Police rescue 3 child laborers in Valenzuela City

MANILA, Philippines -  Authorities rescued four people, including three minors, from a compound in Valenzuela City where adulterated cooking oil and sugar are being stored.

During a raid at the compound on 3 and 4 Sahara Road, Planters Subdivision, Barangay Rincon, operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Social Welfare and Development rescued the four workers in the premises last April 3.

The raiding team also seized three trucks of adulterated cooking oil and sugar inside the premises.

Authorities swooped down on the warehouse armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Lyliha Abella Aquiono of Manila Regional Trial Court- National Capital Judicial Region branch 24 for violation of Republic Act 10611 or An Act to Strengthen the Food Safety Regulatory System in the Country.

The establishment is co-owned and managed by Stephen Chang, Jessica Sy and Grace Ajeta, the CIDG said.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong said the rescued workers are from Leyte and Iloilo.

He said the minors were turned-over to DSWD while cases for Violations of Alien Employment Permit, RA 9231 (Child Labor Law), RA 10611 and Rule 1020 (Registration of Business) are being readied for filing against the owners of the establishment.