Coast Guard rescues 19 trafficking victims

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Central Tawi-Tawi rescued at least 19 victims of trafficking in persons aboard a passenger ferry bound for Malaysia on Friday.

In a report, the PCG said the victims were rescued after the Sea Marshal Unit, acting on intelligence information, tracked the victims on their way from Zamboanga to the port of Bongao, which they intend to use as a jump-off point on their way to Malaysia.

The PCG said it also alerted the Maritime Police and Maritime Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking about the rescue of the victims from the vessel MV Ever Queen of Asia, which anchored in Bongao town.

Initial investigation showed that the 19 were recruited in Zamboanga peninsula.

The trafficking victims were turned over to the Ministry of Social Service and Development in Bongao for psychological counseling and assistance. The ministry will also ensure that the victims will go back to their residences safely.