ZAMBOANGA CITY — Five alleged victims of human trafficking, including three minors, were rescued while a female suspect was arrested during a late-night anti-trafficking entrapment and rescue operation in Barangay Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Authorities identified the arrested suspect as Josephine A. Santiago, also known by the alias “Jhoan” or “Josie,” who was allegedly involved in offering minors in exchange for sex.
The operation was carried out at around 10:35 p.m. near the PDEA Compound in Upper Calarian following weeks of extensive monitoring, surveillance, and test-buy operations conducted by anti-trafficking authorities against the suspect.
The joint operation was spearheaded by the Department of Justice–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) Region IX through the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZSBATTF), in coordination with several law enforcement and social welfare agencies and local barangay officials.
Among the participating agencies were the PNP Women and Children Protection Center–Mindanao Field Office (WCPC-MFU), Police Counter-Trafficking Committee–Western Mindanao Field Office (PCTC-WMFO), City Intelligence Unit of the Zamboanga City Police Office (CIU-ZCPO), Criminal Investigation Group–Southwestern Mindanao/BARMM (CIG-SWM/BARMM), Coast Guard Intelligence Unit–Southwestern Mindanao (CGIU-SWM), National Bureau of Investigation–Western Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-WEMRO), Naval Intelligence and Security Group–Western Mindanao (NISG-WM), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region IX, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and Police Station 8 of the ZCPO.
The rescue operation resulted in the recovery of five female victims composed of three suspected minor victims and two legal-age women believed to have been subjected to sexual exploitation activities.
According to Police Lt. Col. Romeo D. Balubal Jr., chief of the Mindanao Field Unit of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center under the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), the successful operation highlighted the strong coordination among government agencies and local officials in addressing trafficking activities in the city.
Balubal strongly condemned the exploitation of minors and vowed intensified operations against trafficking syndicates preying on vulnerable women and children.
Authorities said the suspect is now under the custody of the WCPC-MFU and will undergo inquest proceedings for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by Republic Act Nos. 10364 and 11682, particularly the provision on Qualified Trafficking in Persons involving minors.
Under Philippine law, trafficking cases involving minors are considered non-bailable offenses and carry the penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction.
Meanwhile, the five rescued victims were immediately transferred to a government shelter facility in Zamboanga City where they are undergoing medical examination, psychosocial intervention, documentation, and protective assessment from concerned agencies.
Authorities reiterated that the operation reflects the government’s continuing commitment to combat human trafficking, dismantle exploitation networks, and ensure the protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable sectors, especially children.