Anti-trafficking campaign five more 'rescued' at port

CEBU, Philippines - Another alleged recruiter was arrested at Cebu City port after a worried mother asked help from Cebu Port Police.

According to Arche Guinitara of the Port Police Intelligence and Investigation Section, a mother of a 19-year-old would-be victim reported to their office that she can no longer contact her nephews, the alleged recruiters.

The mother went in person to the port police Monday afternoon at around 4:00 p.m.

The mother “panicked” earlier that day after receiving a text message from her 19-year-old daughter informing her that she no longer wants to continue their trip to Cagayan de Oro City.

Accompanying her daughter were a 14-year-old girl and three males aged 16, 18 and 21, all from Camotes. They were reportedly promised work in their relative’s house in Cagayan.   

After the mother received the disturbing text message, she immediately called her nephews but she could no longer contact them. 

Acting on the mother’s report, the Port Police planned and later dispatched their men at Pier 4 when the ship finally docked at 6:00 p.m.

The group was reportedly intercepted by a team headed by Port Police Superintendent Joshuan Pantija while undergoing extra security inspection before their 8:00 p.m. trip to Cagayan.

The two alleged recruiters were shocked when they were stopped and were asked to go with the port authorities. 

Though upset with what happened, the mother decided not to press charges against her two nephews after her daughter and the rest of the group were returned safely.

Later that evening, the legal counsel of the two suspected recruiters arrived and insisted that his client be spared from detention.

The counsel insisted that his clients did not use any “forms of coercion and force” against the children. After the complainant decided not to press charges, the Port Police released the two suspects at around 10:00 p.m. 

However, Guinitara said that the two suspects violated provision of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Though both of the alleged recruiters are free, the family promised to help in locating them once charges will soon be filed against them.

This was the third operation conducted at the Cebu City ports against trafficking. Last Friday, 15 teenagers from Bohol were rescued at the port while they were on their way to Manila. On Monday afternoon, five persons from Toledo City were also intercepted while on their way to their “promised jobs” in Manila. – (FREEMAN)