by Neil Arwin Mercado, 24 Dec 2019
MANILA, Philippines — Twelve suspected human trafficking victims who were about to leave the country were rescued at the Zamboanga International Seaport (ZIS), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Tuesday.
BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina said the victims were about to board passenger ship M/V Antonia bound for Sandakan, in Sabah last December 17 when they were intercepted.
Medina said inspectors noticed inconsistencies in the victims’ answers when they were interviewed, prompting officials to stop defer their departure.
In his report, BI-ZIS head supervisor Ibrahim Lim said all the victims are women who could not explain why they were leaving Zamboanga.
The victims could not explain the purpose why they were sailing to Malaysia either, Lim said.
“Because of this incident we were able to thwart an attempt by these trafficking syndicates to spirit their victims out of the country. They mistakenly thought that we are less strict in screening passengers departing in our ports outside of Manila,” Medina was quoted as saying in a statement.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, meanwhile, said that BI personnel should remain vigilant.
“They (human traffickers) are relentless in their schemes despite the holiday season,” Morente said, adding that BI officers at the Zamboanga port have been on alert to ensure that the southern borders will not be abused by traffickers and illegal recruiters who transport victims to Malaysia without proper documents.
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
