Children as young as 11 were rescued from a fish cage compound in Sual, Pangasinan where they were allegedly overworked, underpaid, and some possibly abused sexually.

In a report by John Consulta on 24 Oras, authorities arrested two Chinese nationals during a joint operation led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division (CCD) and Special Task Force (STF). The raid was carried out by virtue of a search warrant targeting the compound suspected of illegal activities.

The minors—11 to 17 years old—were found working in unsafe conditions and were reportedly paid only P150 per day to lift heavy sacks.

“150 isang araw? 150 lang? Ang bubuhatin mo sako? Ilang sako nabubuhat mo isang araw?” asked one of the agents during the rescue.

“Mga 50 lang po,” one child replied.

In total, 10 minors were rescued. Some were found inside a warehouse, while others were taken from floating fish cages operated just a few meters off the coast.

Agent Rhainier Dela Cruz of the NBI CCD said the children worked from dawn to dusk.

"These are the fish cages wherein the miners were working from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, each child is standing on one fish pen, feeding continuously," he said.

To make them appear legal workers, the children were reportedly given fake IDs. 

They were promised P9,000 monthly salaries, but the promise was never kept. Instead, they were housed in cramped, dirty rooms with no proper bedding or ventilation.

Two of the rescued girls—aged 13 and 17—were found to be pregnant.

"We've found two minors, 13 and 17 years old. Both of which are pregnant," Dela Cruz added.

Charges of statutory rape will be filed against those responsible. The suspects also face charges under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and other child protection laws.

The NBI is now investigating around 500 illegal fish cages in the area, reportedly operated by foreign nationals. 

Officials are also looking into the possible national security threat posed by the illegal structures located just 200 meters from the Sual Power Plant.

"The mushrooming of bangus which 'yung mga nakatakas sa fish fence, it would affect the cooling off system nung power plant... the operation of the power plant as a whole would be disrupted, affecting Luzon wide power distribution. So magkakaroon ho siya ng blackout. Actually, meron akong nangyari dito way back I think 2013," Atty. Jeremy Lotoc, Chief of NBI CCD and STF, said.

“Baka ginawa lang ito intended for purposes other than business... May possible implication doon sa ating national security considering that this can disrupt or sabotage for major power source,” NBI spokesperson RD Ferdinand Lavin added.