15 TRAFFICKING VICTIMS RESCUED, 4 SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN PALAWAN

AUTHORITIES rescued 15 victims of human trafficking in Palawan who were about to take boats that will bring them separately to Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center Maj. Shari Vanneza B. Deseo said four Filipino suspects were arrested and are facing criminal charges for human trafficking and large-scale illegal recruitment.

Desero said the victims–six of them females and the rest all males–were from different places in Metro Manila, Cavite and Bicol.

The official said the victims were enticed to work by the recruiters as Customer Service Representatives with a promised monthly salary of P50,000 up to P53,000.

Unknown to the victims, they will end up working in companies engaged in illegal cryptocurrency hubs in Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Officers from the PNP-WCPC, with the support of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the Department of Migrant Workers and the PNP Maritime Group, conducted the successful anti-trafficking in persons’ operation.

All victims were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for psycho-social intervention.

An investigation showed the victims were recruited thru Facebook.

The PNP-WCPC spokesperson said that after engaging the victims via Facebook, the recruiters asked the victims to join a group chat, where they were offered the high-paying job. Unknown to the victims, they will  be working as scammers in a crypto-currency hub abroad.