ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities successfully rescued 68 individuals, including seven minors, in two separate but coordinated anti-human trafficking operations in Zamboanga City on August 8, 2025.
The first operation, conducted around 9:15 p.m. at Haji Taha Wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, was led by the Zamboanga City Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) in coordination with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking–Department of Justice (IACAT-DOJ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), Philippine Coast Guard-Zamboanga Station, Basilan SBC 1st Special Operations Unit, Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG), and Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO).
Authorities intercepted the motor launch J-Sayang 1 reportedly bound for Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi — a known backdoor exit point to other countries. A total of 27 adults and three minors were rescued and transported to the DSWD Center in Barangay Mampang for verification, health checks, and psychosocial intervention.
In a separate operation earlier that day, the DMW Region IX and the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force rescued 38 more individuals from a wooden-hull cargo vessel allegedly headed for Sabah via Tawi-Tawi. The group consisted of 14 males (two minors) and 24 females (two minors), eight of whom carried passports with tourist visas bound for China. Four of the women admitted they were set to work as domestic helpers abroad.
Three suspected recruiters were arrested at the port and are now under police custody. Some of the victims have expressed willingness to file complaints against them.
Both operations form part of the government’s intensified campaign against human trafficking, especially in southern maritime routes frequently exploited for illegal departures. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the operations and identify other individuals or networks behind them.