ALICIA, Zamboanga Sibugay — Fifteen Chinese nationals were rescued by police personnel in Barangay Tandiong Muslim, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, shortly after 1 p.m. on October 12, 2026, following a report directly relayed by the town mayor to local authorities.
According to the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office (ZSBPPO), the rescue operation was launched after the municipal mayor informed the Alicia Municipal Police Station (MPS) about the situation, prompting police personnel to immediately verify the report and respond to the area.
Personnel from the Alicia MPS, the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of the ZSBPPO, and the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) coordinated in checking the reported incident. Upon reaching Barangay Tandiong Muslim, the responding teams confirmed the report and successfully rescued the 15 Chinese nationals.
Police said all 15 individuals were adult males, with ages ranging from 25 to 51. However, the initial information provided by authorities did not specify the circumstances that led to their rescue, whether they had been held against their will, or whether any criminal activity was involved.
Following the operation, the rescued individuals were brought to the Alicia MPS for documentation and verification of their identities and circumstances. They subsequently underwent medical examinations at the Alicia Rural Health Unit to assess their health condition before being turned over to the Bureau of Immigration for proper disposition and further processing.
The involvement of the Bureau of Immigration indicates that authorities will undertake the necessary immigration-related procedures. However, the police report did not provide further details about the nationality documents, immigration status, or other circumstances surrounding the 15 individuals.
As of the information provided by the ZSBPPO, no further details were disclosed regarding how the Chinese nationals came to be in the area, how long they had been there, or whether other individuals were involved.
Authorities have yet to provide additional information about the circumstances of the incident and whether further investigation or legal proceedings will follow.
The rescue highlights the importance of coordination between local government officials and law enforcement agencies in responding to reports involving foreign nationals and ensuring that those rescued receive appropriate medical attention and legal processing.