13 victims rescued, 4 traffickers arrested in Rizal, Palawan 

Thirteen individuals were rescued from an illegal recruitment scheme while four alleged traffickers were arrested in Rizal, Palawan, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Wednesday. 

The suspects were arrested through a joint operation by the DMW, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the Philippine National Police's Maritime Group, the Women and Children Protection Center, and the Palawan Provincial Police Office.

Investigation showed that the suspects promised employment to the victims as customer service representatives and “spammers” in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand with a monthly salary of US$800 to $1,000. 

But authorities found out that the victims were instead going to be sent to cryptocurrency scam hubs, the DMW said. 

“Hindi kami titigil sa paglaban sa mga illegal recruiters at human trafficking syndicates na nanlilinlang sa ating mga kababayang nais lamang magtrabaho abroad para sa magandang kinabukasan ng kanilang pamilya. Patuloy tayo sa ating mga operasyon upang masupil, maaresto, at maipasara ang kanilang mga maling gawain,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in a statement. 

(We will not stop fighting against illegal recruiters and human trafficking syndicates who deceive our fellow citizens who only want to work abroad for a better future for their families. We will continue our operations to suppress, arrest, and shut down their illegal activities.) 

The four suspects will face charges for syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment and promoting trafficking in persons, the DMW added. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News