NBI probes COVID-19 ‘human smuggling’

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into the reported trafficking of people untested for COVID-19 in and out of the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus bubble amid a two-week enhanced community quarantine.

The bureau’s NCR office was tasked to lead the probe on the alleged smuggling of people during the hard lockdown, according to NBI deputy director for regional operations Antonio Pagatpat.

A video of the alleged human trafficking went viral on social media.

In the video, a group of people was seen jumping out of a cargo truck before boarding commuter vans that transported them to Metro Manila.

The incident reportedly happened between Ragay, Camarines Sur and Tagkawayan, Quezon.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the closed vans and trucks smuggle people not tested for the virus in and out of Metro Manila.

The booking of these illegal trips was done on social media. Some passengers in the video were not wearing face masks.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) summoned the owner and driver of the truck for violating the law against colorum operations and quarantine protocols.

The LTO has also apprehended 12 colorum vehicles bound for Bicol region during the Holy Week. At least 79 passengers have tested positive for COVID-19.

Highway Patrol Group chief Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum said they would intensify operations against colorum vehicles following the illegal transport of people to and from the NCR Plus. – Neil Jayson Servallos