ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine authorities have arrested a man who was suspected of trying to illegally cross four people into Malaysia’s state of Sabah near the southern Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi, officials said on Sunday.
Ensign Chester Ian Ramos, a spokesman for the Joint Task Force ZAMBASULTA or Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi, said Henry Alsamala was nabbed by military and police units on the boat ML Sea Glory while docked on a pier in Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi following a tip off from an informant.
He said Alsamala’s victims Marilou Olico, Clarisa Pardines, Claiza Ann Lorez and Ritz Pas were also rescued by soldiers and policemen before the boat can sail to Sabah.
Among those that took part in the operation to rescue the four women were members of the Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao, Provincial Women and Children Protection Desk- Bongao, Tactical Operations Group-SULTAW, Regional Intelligence Unit-9 and 304th Area Intelligence Security Service, according to Ramos.
“Alsamala is currently being investigated by the police while the trafficking victims were handed over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. We are intensifying law enforcement operations and are continuously being conducted to expedite arrest of lawless groups and curb illegal activities in the province,” Ramos told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
No other details about the victims and their recruiter were made available by the authorities while investigation is going on. (Mindanao Examiner)
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