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.
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
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)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
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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