IACAT NUEVE

DATE/TIME: On or about 8:30 PM, October 22, 2025

LOCATION: Rose Bar, Poblacion, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur

I. BACKGROUND
In line with the government’s continuing campaign against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and other forms of sexual exploitation, a joint rescue operation was successfully conducted by the Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force IX (RATTF 9) and the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZSBATTF), under the direct supervision of ACP Alfredo E. Jimenez. The operation was carried out in close coordination with partner agencies and with the legal assistance of Prosecutor Kenneth Alivio from the Pagadian City Prosecutor’s Office.
The operation stemmed from verified intelligence information indicating the alleged trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and minors at Rose Bar, located in Poblacion, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.

II. COMPOSITE OPERATING UNITS
The composite team was composed of representatives from the following agencies:
Department of Justice – Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT)
Philippine Center on Transnational Crime – Western Mindanao Field Office (PCTC-WMFO)
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI PAGDO), led by Agent Jun Carreon
PNP Mindanao Police Intelligence Office (MAPIO)
Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG)
Naval Installation Facility 2 – Western Mindanao (NIF2-WM)
Ramon Magsaysay Municipal Police Station (MPS)
Department of Migrant Workers – Regional Office IX (DMW IX)
Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office IX (DSWD IX)
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Zamboanga del Sur
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), Tukuran
Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police Office (PPO) – Pagadian
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA IX)
Tukuran Municipal Police Station (MPS)
The operation was legally assisted and coordinated with Prosecutor Kenneth Alivio of the Pagadian City Prosecutor’s Office, ensuring proper observance of due process throughout the conduct of the rescue.

III. DETAILS OF THE OPERATION
At around 8:30 PM on October 22, 2025, the composite team proceeded to Rose Bar, Poblacion, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, to execute a rescue operation following validated reports of human trafficking and sexual exploitation involving minors.
Upon arrival, the team confirmed the presence of several female individuals, including minors, who were being offered for sexual services inside the establishment. The operatives immediately conducted the rescue, resulting in the successful recovery of seven (7) victims—composed of five (5) minors and two (2) adults—who were being exploited for commercial sexual activities.
The operation also led to the arrest of two (2) suspects, identified as Rosita Chavez and Joselito Chavez, owners and operators of the said bar. Both suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and were turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI PAGDO) for proper documentation and the filing of appropriate charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended by Republic Act No. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).
All operational procedures were conducted under the legal supervision of Prosecutor Kenneth Alivio, who ensured adherence to evidentiary requirements and due process during the operation.

IV. TURNOVER AND ASSISTANCE
All seven (7) rescued victims were initially assisted by the DSWD IX and MSWDO Tukuran for assessment, initial psychosocial intervention, and documentation.
Subsequently, the victims were safely turned over and temporarily housed at the Provincial Crisis Center located in Pagadian City, under the supervision of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), for continued protection, counseling, and welfare assistance.
Further coordination was made with the Department of Migrant Workers – Regional Office IX (DMW IX) for case management, reintegration, and long-term assistance services.

V. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is hereby recommended that:
Criminal charges be filed against Rosita and Joselito Chavez for violations of Republic Act No. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012);
Follow-up intelligence operations and surveillance be conducted to identify other establishments potentially engaged in similar human trafficking and sexual exploitation activities within Zamboanga del Sur; and
Sustained coordination and collaboration among RATTF 9, ZSBATTF, and partner agencies be maintained to ensure continuous and effective implementation of anti-trafficking initiatives across the Zamboanga Peninsula.







#

🚨 ANTI-TRAFFICKING SUCCESS OPERATION 🚨

SUBJECT: Entrapment of Suspected Perpetrators & Rescue of TIP Victims
DATE: 04 September 2025
LOCATION: Sanga-Sanga Airport, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi

🚨 ANTI-TRAFFICKING SUCCESS OPERATION 🚨
SUBJECT: Entrapment of Suspected Perpetrators & Rescue of TIP Victims
DATE: 04 September 2025
LOCATION: Sanga-Sanga Airport, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
On 04 September 2025, joint elements of the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZSBATTF), in close coordination with partner agencies in Tawi-Tawi, successfully conducted an Entrapment and Rescue Operation at Sanga-Sanga Airport, Bongao.
✅ 24 potential victims of Human Trafficking were rescued.
✅ 2 identified facilitators were arrested.
The victims, who were promised jobs in Sabah, were prevented from being illegally transported through the Bongao–Sitangkai route. They are now under the care of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, while investigation and case build-up continue.
Criminal complaints for Violation of R.A. 9208, as amended by R.A. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) will be filed against the perpetrators and their cohorts.
👥 Participating Agencies and Units
ZSBATTF Core Agencies:
• DOJ–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT)
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIATFAT)
• Philippine Center on Transnational Crime – Western Mindanao Field Unit (PCTC-WMFU)
• Philippine National Police – PRO9
• Department of Migrant Workers IX (DMW IX)
• National Intelligence Coordinating Agency IX (NICA IX)
• PNP – Aviation Security Unit IX (PNP-AVSEU IX)
• Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
• Naval Intelligence Security Unit 62 (NISU-62, Zamboanga)
• Naval Intelligence Security Group – Western Mindanao (NISG-WM)
• Coast Guard Intelligence Unit – SWM/BARMM (CGIU-SWM/BARMM)
• Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office (ZCSWDO)
• Department of Social Welfare and Development IX (DSWD IX)
• National Bureau of Investigation – Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD)
• National Bureau of Investigation – Western Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-WEMRO)
Coordinating Units in Tawi-Tawi:
• 1st Special Operations Unit – Maritime Group (1st SOU-MG)
• Tawi-Tawi Maritime Police Station
• NIACAT – Tawi-Tawi
• 51st Special Action Company – PNP SAF
• Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14 (RMFB-14)
• Municipal Police Station – Bongao (MPS-Bongao)
• Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 (MBLT-4)
• 2nd Marine Company Intelligence Company (2MCIC)
• Naval Intelligence Security Unit 61 (NISU-61)
• National Intelligence Coordinating Agency – BARMM (NICA-BARMM)
• Coast Guard Intelligence Unit – Central Tawi-Tawi (CGIU-CTT)
• Criminal Investigation Division – BARMM (CID-BARMM)
• Directorate for Intelligence – MAPIO (DI-MAPIO)
• Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking / VAWC (LCAT-VAWC) / MIACAT – Bongao
• PNP – Aviation Security Unit Tawi-Tawi (PNP-AVSEU Tawi-Tawi)
• PNP – Anti-Illegal Recruitment Unit SEU 9 (PNP-ANUSEU-9)
________________________________________

✊ This successful operation highlights the united efforts of law enforcement and social welfare agencies in protecting Filipinos from human trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable.



✅ 24 potential victims of Human Trafficking were rescued.
✅ 2 identified facilitators were arrested.

The victims, who were promised jobs in Sabah, were prevented from being illegally transported through the Bongao–Sitangkai route. They are now under the care of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, while investigation and case build-up continue.

Criminal complaints for Violation of R.A. 9208, as amended by R.A. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) will be filed against the perpetrators and their cohorts.

👥 Participating Agencies and Units

ZSBATTF Core Agencies:

DOJ–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT)

Philippine Center on Transnational Crime – Western Mindanao Field Unit (PCTC-WMFU)

Philippine National Police – PRO9

Department of Migrant Workers IX (DMW IX)

National Intelligence Coordinating Agency IX (NICA IX)

PNP – Aviation Security Unit IX (PNP-AVSEU IX)

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)

Naval Intelligence Security Unit 62 (NISU-62, Zamboanga)

Naval Intelligence Security Group – Western Mindanao (NISG-WM)

Coast Guard Intelligence Unit – SWM/BARMM (CGIU-SWM/BARMM)

Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office (ZCSWDO)

Department of Social Welfare and Development IX (DSWD IX)

National Bureau of Investigation – Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD)

National Bureau of Investigation – Western Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-WEMRO)

Coordinating Units in Tawi-Tawi:

1st Special Operations Unit – Maritime Group (1st SOU-MG)

Tawi-Tawi Maritime Police Station

NIACAT – Tawi-Tawi

51st Special Action Company – PNP SAF

Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14 (RMFB-14)

Municipal Police Station – Bongao (MPS-Bongao)

Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 (MBLT-4)

2nd Marine Company Intelligence Company (2MCIC)

Naval Intelligence Security Unit 61 (NISU-61)

National Intelligence Coordinating Agency – BARMM (NICA-BARMM)

Coast Guard Intelligence Unit – Central Tawi-Tawi (CGIU-CTT)

Criminal Investigation Division – BARMM (CID-BARMM)

Directorate for Intelligence – MAPIO (DI-MAPIO)

Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking / VAWC (LCAT-VAWC) / MIACAT – Bongao

PNP – Aviation Security Unit Tawi-Tawi (PNP-AVSEU Tawi-Tawi)

PNP – Anti-Illegal Recruitment Unit SEU 9 (PNP-ANUSEU-9)

✊ This successful operation highlights the united efforts of law enforcement and social welfare agencies in protecting Filipinos from human trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS| Department of Justice Assistant Secretary Michelle Ann Lapuz spearheads a motorcade downtown Thursday morning, August 28, as part of the DOJ's Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking's BARANGAY IACAT Program information drive, a campaign aimed to drum up awareness rand combat human trafficking

The motorcade was participated by the different sectors to include the military, police, barangays and NGOs, among others.

(photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)

To all Zamboangueños!

Barangay IACAT is coming to your city this 27-29 August 2025

Be part of our 3-day event as we strengthen community action against human trafficking.

Together, let’s protect our families and build safer communities for everyone.

📍 Zamboanga City
Kita-kits mga ka-Barangay IACAT!

𝗡𝗕𝗜 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗧𝗔 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬

On August 12, 2025, under the leadership of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), the NBI-Dagupan District Office (NBI-DADO), together with representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), rescued two (2) victims of human trafficking in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

The case was endorsed to NBI-DADO by a non-profit organization that had received a request for assistance from the relatives of the victims. According to the relatives, Victims were allegedly under the custody of a syndicate engaged in human trafficking activities in Northern and Central Luzon. They added that they had received messages from the victims begging for help. Investigation revealed that the victims and 12 other females were recruited to work as waitresses at Mahogany KTV Bar in Agoo, La Union. Instead, they were coerced and exploited to work as female entertainers and were offered for sexual services to male customers. Victims and their companions were then transported and transferred to another KTV bar, 178 KTV Bar, in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. They were also reportedly threatened with being shot if they attempted to escape.

Agents of NBI-DADO, accompanied by DSWD personnel and relatives of the victims, went to the KTV Bar and successfully rescued two (2) of the victims. Both victims were turned over to DSWD for proper care.

Victims affirmed the report received by NBI-DADO and added that they were recruited online with a promised of a monthly salary of Php 20,000.00. They also disclosed that they were forced to sign an agreement stating they had an acknowledged debt to the KTV Bar and would not leave until it was paid. However, they denied receiving any amount from the recruiters.

Director Santiago commended the NBI-DADO agents. He assures the public that the Bureau will continue to locate and rescue the other female victims and will investigate on the recruiters and the KTV Bar owners and operators for the filing of appropriate charges against them.

NASAGIP ng mga operatiba ng Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (IACAT-ZSBATTF), City Intelligence Unit of the Zamboanga City Police Office ZCPO PSeleven (CIU-ZCPO), kasama ang Philippine Center on Transnational Crime WMFO, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency - PH-IX, Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center - Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU), Department of Migrant Workers DMW Region IX Philippine Coast Guard Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao Intelligence Group, Coast Guard Station Zamboanga, Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM), Regional Maritime Unit 9 - Philippine National Police Maritime Pulis Rmu IX (RMU IX), SB Basilan-SOU 1-PNP MG, CID-SWM/BARMM, CGIG-SWM, CGS Zamboanga Boarding Team, at sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Department of Social Welfare and Development -DSWD Field Office IX-Zamboanga Peninsula at City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), ang 38 katao na pinaniniwalaang biktima ng human trafficking sa isinagawang operasyon noong 8 Agosto 2025 sa Taha Wharf, Baliwasan Seaside, Zamboanga City.

Dakong alas-8:04 ng gabi, nakatanggap ng intelligence report ang mga awtoridad hinggil sa umano’y planong paglabas ng bansa ng mga indibidwal sakay ng wooden-hulled cargo vessel na babaybay sa ruta mula Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi patungong Sabah. Dagdag pa sa report, nagmula sa iba’t ibang probinsya ng Pilipinas ang mga biktima - na ang iba ay bumyahe pa mula sa Luzon.

Agaran namang pinasok ng mga awtoridad ang malaking bangka at isinagawa ang inspeksyon sa mga pasahero nito. Natukoy ang 38 biktima na kinabibilangan ng 22 babae at 12 lalaki, kabilang ang 4 menor de edad.

Batay sa paunang imbestigasyon, apat sa mga biktima ang nagbigay ng kanilang salaysay hinggil sa kanilang mga illegal recruiters. Mula sa kanilang pahayag, papunta sila sa China gamit ang tourist visa upang magtrabaho bilang kasambahay na may ipinangakong sahod na hindi bababa sa ₱70,000.

Dagdag pa rito, napag-alaman na dati na rin silang na-offload sa Maynila ng Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad hinggil sa mga ibinigay na salaysay, at sinisikap din nilang makakalap pa ng karagdagang pahayag mula sa iba pang biktima upang lalo pang mapalakas ang kaso laban sa mga natukoy na illegal recruiters.

Kasalukuyang nasa pangangalaga ng DSWD IX sa ang lahat ng nasagip na biktima para sa pagbibigay ng agarang proteksyon, pansamantalang tuluyan, at iba pang kinakailangang serbisyo katulad ng pagkain at medikal.

Nagpahayag si Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla na mas paiigtingin ng IACAT ang intelligence monitoring sa Taha Wharf, Taganak, at iba pang kilalang exit points sa bansa.

“𝗔𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘀. 𝗗𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼, 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗸𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝗼,” pagbibigay diin ni SOJ Remulla ang kahalagahan ng koordinasyong aksyon kontra human trafficking.

Muling pinaaalalahanan ng IACAT ang lahat ng Pilipino na huwag magpalinlang sa mga huwad na pangako ng mataas na sahod o maginhawang trabaho sa ibang bansa.

Kung kayo ay may nalalaman na mga nag-aalok ng trabaho na nangangailangan ng pag-alis sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng ilegal na ruta o mga dokumento, 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗗𝗨𝗗𝗔 𝗡𝗔 𝗮𝘁 𝗜-𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 agad sa 1343 Actionline against Human Trafficking

NASAGIP ng mga operatiba ng Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (IACAT-ZSBATTF), City Intelligence Unit of the Zamboanga City Police Office ZCPO PSeleven (CIU-ZCPO), kasama ang Philippine Center on Transnational Crime WMFO, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency - PH-IX, Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center - Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU), Department of Migrant Workers DMW Region IX Philippine Coast Guard Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao Intelligence Group, Coast Guard Station Zamboanga, Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM), Zamboanga City Maritime Police Station (ZC MARPSTA), SB Basilan-SOU 1-PNP MG, CID-SWM/BARMM, CGIG-SWM, CGS Zamboanga Boarding Team, at sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Department of Social Welfare and Development -DSWD Field Office IX-Zamboanga Peninsula at City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), ang 38 katao na pinaniniwalaang biktima ng human trafficking sa isinagawang operasyon noong 8 Agosto 2025 sa Taha Wharf, Baliwasan Seaside, Zamboanga City.

Dakong alas-8:04 ng gabi, nakatanggap ng intelligence report ang mga awtoridad hinggil sa umano’y planong paglabas ng bansa ng mga indibidwal sakay ng wooden-hulled cargo vessel na babaybay sa ruta mula Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi patungong Sabah. Dagdag pa sa report, nagmula sa iba’t ibang probinsya ng Pilipinas ang mga biktima - na ang iba ay bumyahe pa mula sa Luzon.

Agaran namang pinasok ng mga awtoridad ang malaking bangka at isinagawa ang inspeksyon sa mga pasahero nito. Natukoy ang 38 biktima na kinabibilangan ng 22 babae at 12 lalaki, kabilang ang 4 menor de edad.

Batay sa paunang imbestigasyon, apat sa mga biktima ang nagbigay ng kanilang salaysay hinggil sa kanilang mga illegal recruiters. Mula sa kanilang pahayag, papunta sila sa China gamit ang tourist visa upang magtrabaho bilang kasambahay na may ipinangakong sahod na hindi bababa sa ₱70,000.

Dagdag pa rito, napag-alaman na dati na rin silang na-offload sa Maynila ng Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad hinggil sa mga ibinigay na salaysay, at sinisikap din nilang makakalap pa ng karagdagang pahayag mula sa iba pang biktima upang lalo pang mapalakas ang kaso laban sa mga natukoy na illegal recruiters.

Kasalukuyang nasa pangangalaga ng DSWD IX ang lahat ng nasagip na biktima para sa pagbibigay ng agarang proteksyon, pansamantalang tuluyan, at iba pang kinakailangang serbisyo katulad ng pagkain at medikal.

Nagpahayag si Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla na mas paiigtingin ng IACAT ang intelligence monitoring sa Taha Wharf, Taganak, at iba pang kilalang exit points sa bansa.

“𝗔𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘀. 𝗗𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼, 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗸𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝗼,” pagbibigay diin ni SOJ Remulla ang kahalagahan ng koordinasyong aksyon kontra human trafficking.

Muling pinaaalalahanan ng IACAT ang lahat ng Pilipino na huwag magpalinlang sa mga huwad na pangako ng mataas na sahod o maginhawang trabaho sa ibang bansa.

Kung kayo ay may nalalaman na mga nag-aalok ng trabaho na nangangailangan ng pag-alis sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng ilegal na ruta o mga dokumento, 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗗𝗨𝗗𝗔 𝗡𝗔 𝗮𝘁 𝗜-𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 agad sa 1343 Actionline against Human Trafficking

ZAMBOANGA SEA-BASED ANTI-TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE
OFFICIAL REPORT

Subject: Joint Rescue Operation – Victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
Date: 08 August 2025
Time: 9:05 PM
Location: Taha Wharf, Baliwasan Seaside, Zamboanga City

On 08 August 2025, under the supervision of Task Force Head ACP Alfredo E. Jimenez Jr., and with the collaborative efforts of partner agencies, the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZSBATTF) successfully rescued 38 victims of trafficking in persons from the wooden-hulled vessel ML J-Sayang 1, bound for Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi, and onward to Sabah, Malaysia via illegal maritime routes.

The victims, originating from various provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, included 22 females (2 minors) and 12 males (2 minors). Eight females carried passports with tourist visas for China, four of whom disclosed being recruited for illegal overseas domestic work. Three suspected recruiters were identified and are currently under investigation.

Participating Agencies:
CIU-ZCPO (Lead Unit), DOJ-IACAT IX, PCTC-WMFO, NICA IX, WCPC-MFU, DMW IX, Coast Guard Intelligence Group-SWM, Coast Guard Station Zamboanga, NISG-WM, RMU IX, SB Basilan-SOU 1-PNP MG, CID-SWM/BARMM, CGIG-SWM, CGS Zambo Boarding Team, DSWD IX, CSWDO.

All rescued individuals are now under the care of DSWD IX at the PCDP Facility, Brgy. Mampang, where they are receiving profiling, legal assistance, and psychosocial support.

This operation underscores the persistent threat of human trafficking in the Zamboanga Peninsula and reaffirms the need for enhanced intelligence operations, robust inter-agency cooperation, and comprehensive victim protection services.