Seven people who authorities said were potential victims of human trafficking were rescued at the Bongao Port in Barangay Poblacion in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Combined forces of the 1st Special Operations Unit of the Maritime Group, 1st Tawi-Tawi Provincial Mobile Force Company, Sea Marshall Unit-SWM, and Coast Guard Station Central Station-Tawi-Tawi responded to a tip from a concerned citizen that a group of people would be traveling to Bongao from Zamboanga City. 

From Bongao, the group would reportedly take the “back door” route to get to Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia even without required papers.

The individuals rescued were brought to the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking VAWC Office of the local government for counseling, assistance, and stress debriefing.

“Their safe return to their families and the areas of their origin is currently being facilitated by Tawi-Tawi PPO and other concerned government authorities,” the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) said.

EARLIER RESCUE

Earlier, 13 people were rescued also at the Bongao Port after authorities received a report they would be traveling to Sabah, Malaysia via backdoor channels.

The group also came from Zamboanga City and was supposed to travel to Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia but failed to show legal documents.