Yt Framework

Maritime police rescued last Wednesday at least 36 more victims of illegal trafficking on board a vessel on its way to Sabah Malaysia off the coast of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

P/Insp. Wilfredo Abellon, chief of the Maritime Operations Division in this city disclosed the Bongao Maritime police intercepted the M/V Lady Mary Joy and rescued 27 males, nine females and a minor aboard the boat.

Abellon, who is a member of the Zamboanga Sea Base Anti Trafficking Task Force disclosed the victims arrived at the local wharf at about 3:30 p.m. and were all taken to the Department of Social Welfare and Development office for proper accounting and counseling.

He said majority of the victims are indigent residents of Maguindanao, Cotabato, Bicol, Luzon and other provinces in Mindanao and Visayas.

“They are so poor, the reason why they try to find greener pasture in other places like Malaysia,” Abellon said.

Abellon said many of the victims have no passport when rescued.

He said the DSWD will provide the funds for the victims’ return to their respective places of origin.

By Nonong Santiago