Air Force rescues 85 trafficking victims in Tawi-Tawi --- By GMA Integrated News

A total of 85 victims of human trafficking were rescued by the Philippine Air Force in a series of operations conducted from Jan. 11 to Feb. 4. In a report on Tuesday, joint operations conducted by Tactical Operations Group Sulu – Tawi-Tawi with several local government units were able to intercept the victims on board commercial shipping lines in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the victims were bound for Malaysia in hopes of employment without legal processing. “This undertaking clearly manifests significant and successful collaboration among government line agencies in the AOR that led to successful interdiction of illegal/criminal activities which could help the province of Tawi-Tawi to attain lasting peace and development,” the statement read. The 85 victims have since been turned over to the Office of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) in Bongao for counseling and stress debriefing. — Jiselle Casucian/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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