THREE individuals were arrested, and 38 people, including four minors, were rescued from an illegal recruitment operation in Zamboanga City on Friday night, August 8, 2025.
The victims were aboard a wooden vessel, the ML J-Sayang, at a private wharf in Baliwasan village when police intercepted them.
The Zamboanga City Maritime Police Station (ZC MARPSTA) confirmed the rescue operation around 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
The vessel was preparing to sail to the municipality of Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi. Three suspected recruiters, who were trying to hide among the victims, were apprehended.
According to the Zamboanga City Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZCSBATTF), the victims were lured by false promises of jobs in China and Malaysia. The task force said the group had previously been stopped by immigration authorities but were rerouted through secret channels.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine those possibly behind the illegal activity,” the ZCSBATTF said.
The rescued individuals were taken to the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Processing Center for Displaced Persons in Mampang village.
The ZCSBATTF encourages the public to report any suspicious activities related to human trafficking. (SunStar Zamboanga)