Rescued minors receive psychosocial help

MANILA, Philippines — Government social workers have provided psychosocial intervention and other assistance to 10 trafficked minors recently rescued in Sual, Pangasinan.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said the children needed safety, emotional healing and long-term support.

“DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian directed social workers to help the children recover immediately and reunite them with their families and communities,” Irene Dumlao, spokesperson for the DSWD, said.

The minors were rescued by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and employees of the Sual social welfare and development office on May 1.

The victims were brought to the provincial social welfare and development office for temporary shelter, where they are visited and assessed by social workers to determine their needs.

One of the minors from Bani town was reunited with his family on May 7.

The DSWD is coordinating with concerned local social welfare and development offices to reunite the minors with their families.