FOUR persons, two of them minors, who were allegedly victims of illegal recruitment in Hinoba-an town were rescued Friday morning by local policemen while they were about to be brought to Bacolod City.
Senior Inspector Robert Mansueto, Hinoba-an Police chief, identified the victims as Hazel Pagado of Barangay Bulwangan, Hinoba-an; Susan Villamor of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental; and two minors from Sitio Mauti in Barangay Bulwangan.
They were promised jobs in Bacolod City that were not entirely wholesome, said an informant who tipped off the local police.
Mansueto said the victims were allegedly recruited by three suspected illegal recruiters led by a certain Jessie Norico alias "May-may."
Mansueto said the police received a report from a concerned citizen in the town about the alleged illegal recruitment of the four victims.
The informant also alleged that she was victimized by the same persons who recruited the four victims, who were rescued at the bus terminal in Kabankalan City. The suspects escaped.
The victims, including the minors, were assisted by PO2 Joelyn Muyco of the Women and Children's Concerns Desk and social worker Dorothea Villamater.
Negros Police Office Director Manuel Felix lauded Mansueto and his men, as well as the Social Welfare office in Hinoba-an for their swift response. (MAP)