6 trafficking victims rescued

MANILA, Philippines — Six human trafficking victims who were bound for Thailand have been rescued by government agents.

In a statement over the weekend, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the victims attempted to leave the country through Bancalaan Island in Balabac, Palawan on a boat.

The Bureau of Immigration was assisted by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force on Anti-Trafficking, Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during the operation.

According to Viado, the victims traveled from Manila to Palawan on Jan. 22. They said they were offered jobs in Thailand and merely followed the instructions of their recruiter to meet up in Palawan.

The victims were brought back to Puerto Princesa City for further investigation by the NBI.