BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi — Maritime police and other law enforcement units successfully intercepted and rescued a suspected victim of trafficking-in-person (TIP) during a verification and profiling operation at Sanga-Sanga Airport, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
The operation was conducted on a Cebu Pacific flight from Zamboanga City after authorities received information from a confidential informant about individuals planning to travel to Sabah, Malaysia through backdoor routes.
During profiling, officers noticed the female passenger displaying possible indicators of trafficking victimization based on her responses and behavior. She was immediately escorted to the 1st Special Operations Unit (SOU) Headquarters for further interview.
LCAT-VAWC Bongao focal person Ms. Rosabella D. Sulani confirmed in her investigation that the woman had no valid travel documents and was at high risk of becoming a trafficking victim.
The victim revealed that she was recruited by an individual identified only as “HR MADZ,” reportedly based in Thailand, who promised her a job as a call center agent. Lacking proper documentation, she was instructed by the recruiter to use backdoor entry routes through Tawi-Tawi. The woman said she only met the recruiter through Facebook Messenger, but the account was deactivated shortly after their exchanges.
Authorities have turned over the rescued victim to the Ministry of Social Services and Development Office (MSSDO) in Bongao for appropriate assistance, counselling, and stress debriefing.
Police said intensified monitoring continues in ports and airports across Tawi-Tawi to prevent human trafficking through illegal backdoor channels.