TWENTY-THREE human trafficking victims, recently rescued by the personnel of the Coastguard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), are now temporarily housed at the center for displaced persons in Zamboanga City.
The CGDSWM turned them over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that maintains the center when they arrived here on Monday, August 27, from the province of Tawi-Tawi.
Lieutenant Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coastguard Station commander, said the victims were rescued on August 20 near Bakungan Island, Turtle Islands Municipality in Tawi-Tawi.
Bakungan Island is located at the very edge of the international treaty limits separating the Philippines from Malaysia.
Ramos said the CGDSWM personnel were conducting patrol when they intercepted the victims aboard M/L Fatima near Bakungan Island.
He said the rescued victims were as follows: Gemma Malicay, 34, Lavern Garcia, 27, Rofel Ticon, 24, Vivian Sagang, 45, Jeston Sagang, 22, Velardo Sagang, 48, Johny Boy Alpay, 29, Zamboanga del Norte; Luwela Bajao, 34, Reindon Binarao, 21, Zamboanga Sibugay; Arsenia Dela Cerna, 53, Yolanda Minas, 46, Zamboanga del Sur; Elbert Castro, 25, Emelinda Escultor, 41, Zamboanga City; Ralife Ticon, 30, Chilo Arnuco, 34, Misamis Occidental; Teresita Pacunla, 48, Lanao del Norte; Lenie Joy Canalan, 25, South Cotabato; Gay Gablac, 23, Davao Oriental; Romeo Argallon, 50, Davao del Norte; Virginia De Asis, 45, Bohol; Harib Vilara, 29, Cebu, Luzviminda Santos, 48, Pasig City; and, Melvin Evangelista, 35, Marikina City.
He said they failed to present travel documents. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)