COAST Guard operatives rescued nine persons, believed to be victims of human trafficking, onboard a cargo vessel in Zamboanga.

The victims were identified as Roxanne Cantillan, 28, Rosie Omadiao, 28, Marlon Cantillan, 29, Jeanneth Untalan, 30, Maeflor Gallardo, 19, Carmelita Gallardo, 21, Roger Villanueva, 28, Arlene Villanueva, 28, and Rubelyn Anievie, 23.

The rescue came after officials of the Visayan Forum Foundation reported to Coast Guard office in Zamboanga that they monitored nine people onboard MV Trisha Kertin-2, a passenger and cargo vessel of Aleson Shipping Lines Inc.

The Coast Guard men immediately conducted mandatory pre departure inspection on the vessel together with the Visayan Forum Foundation personnel that resulted in the rescue of nine passengers.

Meanwhile, in Palawan, Coast Guard operatives seized a fishing vessel for committing maritime violations in Magsaysay town.

Coast Guard spokesman Algier Ricafrente said the elements of the agency’s Cuyo Station were conducting routine patrol operation when they spotted fishing boat Paul Gerald-7 anchored at the Caponayan Island in Magsaysay.

Source:http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/03/26/coast-guard-rescues-9-from-human-traffickers/