NBI agents rescue 7 child workers from Batangas sugarcane plantation

Authorities rescued seven children who were made to work in a sugarcane plantation in Calaca town, Batangas.

Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation, Rizal District Office, witnessed two of the seven rescued children working in the field during the operation.

Acting on a tip from children who escaped from the the plantation, NBI agents carried out rescue plan, "Unang Balita" reported on Friday.

Some of the victims claimed that the plantation owner promised them P300 for a day's work, and free board and lodging. But they were only paid P25 a day, and that they were made to work for 12 hours —from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NBI agents have arrested the landowner, who also served as the children's recruiter, and some barangay councilors, among others.

Philippine Statistics Authority data show that some 3 million children, ages five to 17, were forced to work and most of them are in the agriculture sector, particularly in sugar plantations.

Under Philippine labor laws, hiring children below 15 is violation of labor laws and is punishable. —LBG, GMA News