4 of 303 trafficked Badjaos catch COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — At least four of the 303 members of the Badjao tribe who were rescued in Manila tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) reported yesterday.

According to IACAT administrative officer Nadine Bernardino, the Badjaos infected with the virus and their 17 relatives who were exposed to them were isolated at a quarantine facility in Parañaque.

“They will stay there for health reasons,” Bernardino said.

Some of the Badjaos reportedly failed to present legitimate swab test results, prompting the Manila city hall to subject them to another RT-PCR test on Friday.

“The families of those who tested positive for COVID-19 were not able to return home,” Bernardino said.

Of the 303 members of the indigenous people, 250 were sent home yesterday on a 2Go ship bound for Zamboanga.

From Zamboanga port, those who reside in Basilan would have to take another boat ride to get to their homes.

The IACAT said 32 Badjaos who claimed to have relatives in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon would remain in the National Housing Authority facility under the NHA’s “Balik probinsya, bagong pag-asa” program.

“The Philippine National Police and IACAT operations center would secure the area until we have validated their claim that they have relatives here, to confirm the purpose of their travel to Manila,” Bernardino said.

On Friday, the IACAT rescued the Badjao people from Zamboanga at the Manila North Harbor port.

The IACT said the Badjaos are alleged victims of human trafficking, which is punishable under Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Bernardino said they are not discounting the possibility that some of the Badjaos were victims of trafficking and might be used to beg for alms in the streets of Metro Manila.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who chairs the IACAT, said he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look for those responsible for bringing the Badjaos to Manila.