Authorities rescued two minor girls from Maguindanao del Sur who allegedly became victims of illegal recruitment.

According to the Bangsamoro Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), the girls were allegedly recruited to work abroad as household service workers.

They were intercepted and brought later to the Tahanan ng Inyong Pag-asa (TIP) Center in Mandaluyong City after they were offloaded while attempting to leave the country.

Personnel of MSSD’s Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) coordinated with agencies concerned in Manila to facilitate the turnover of the minors and initiate their reintegration process.

A case conference was then conducted at the TIP Center with representatives from concerned agencies to ensure proper case management and continued protection for the victims.

“Ang mga na-rescue nating minors ay mula sa magkaibang insidente ng illegal recruitment. Nakasaad sa Republic Act 11862 o ang Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 na ang mga aplikante para sa household service work sa ibang bansa ay dapat hindi bababa sa 24 taong gulang. Kaya malinaw na paglabag sa batas ang pagre-recruit ng mga menor de edad,” RRPTP Focas Person Jan Michelle Agata, said.

The two girls have been reunited with their families.

Agata added that MSSD is committed to ensuring the welfare and recovery of human trafficking victims through comprehensive reintegration support.