By: Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao, Feb 12, 2019
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Forty-eight persons believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued Monday night at the sea waters of this city.
Rear Admiral Rene Medina, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NAVFORWEM), said operating units of the Philippine Navy, in coordination with Joint Task Force Zamboanga, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Presidential Center on Transnational Crime, intercepted a sea vessel reportedly engaged in human trafficking.
“This ML Moneza, an inter-island sea vessel, is carrying 95 passengers and five crew members. Upon thorough inspection of our personnel, it turned out that there are only 20 legitimate passengers, all residents of Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi, while a total of 75 passengers are undocumented with 48 identified as ‘trafficking in persons,’” Medina said.
Of the 48 individuals, nine were females, 37 were males and two minors. They were immediately turned over to the custody of the DSWD9 so that they can be transported back to their respective hometowns.
The ship captain of ML Moneza, Murphy Kailani, is currently being interrogated. The vessel is registered in Taganak and ferries passengers from the said island to Zamboanga City and vice versa.
Medina said he deployed operating troops composed of two Navy SEAL teams, personnel from the Naval Intelligence Service Group, personnel from the Department of Justice, and representatives from the DSWD using the multipurpose attack craft BA486 and patrol boat light class.
“The successful foiling of human trafficking is a result of Joint Maritime Law Enforcement operations of the Philippine Navy and partner agencies. The Philippine Navy, through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and partners, will continue to deter any unlawful activities in its area of operations for a secured Western Mindanao maritime environment,” Medina said. /ee
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
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more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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