by Roel Pareño (The Philippine Star) – 4 Mar 2020
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Thirteen women who said they were promised employment as domestic helpers in Dubai, Malta and Malaysia were rescued by personnel of the Zamboanga Sea Base Anti-Trafficking Task Force in this city on Monday.
Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Guiniling, Philippine Coast Guard-Zamboanga station chief, said the human trafficking victims were rescued at a pension house in Barangay Canelar.
Guiniling said the victims are residents of Baguio City, Pasay, Manila, Siquijor, Davao City and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
He said three other women were rescued in a follow-up operation while three persons who allegedly facilitated their travel here were held for questioning.
The victims said they were told they would leave the country through the southern backdoor on a watercraft.
Last week, 56 women were rescued by the anti-human trafficking task force, also in this city, while about to board a vessel for Malaysia.
