12 trafficking victims rescued in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines —  Twelve people believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued from a boat docked at a private wharf in this city on Monday.

The boat was set to sail to Sabah in Malaysia when it was intercepted at the Taha Wharf in Barangay Baliwasan at around 7:40 p.m.

Lt. Col. Mario Bacquiran Jr., acting chief of the Women and Children Protection Center-Mindanao Field Unit, said they received information from their counterparts in Zamboanga Sibugay about the illegal activity at the wharf.

The victims, including five women and seven men, reportedly left Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay and were supposed to enter Malaysia illegally.

The victims were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper processing before they are sent home to their families.