At least 13 people were rescued at the Bongao Port in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi from potential human trafficking. 

Authorities received a report that a group of people was traveling to Sabah, Malaysia via backdoor channels, prompting the 1st Special Operations Unit of the Maritime Group, 1st Tawi Tawi Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Sea Marshall Unit-SWM, and Coast Guard Central Station Tawi-Tawi to launch an operation.

From Zamboanga City, the group was supposed to travel to Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia but failed to show legal documents. 

The individuals rescuedwere turned over to the Office of the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking in coordination with the Ministry of Social Services and Development for counseling, stress debriefing, and assistance.

The Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office and other concerned government agencies are now facilitating their return to their families.