Binay, chairman emeritus of the Interagency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) and chairman of the Presidential Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment, said all victims hailed from Makiri in Isabela City, Basilan.
He said the victims were promised scholarships from the national government and that to qualify they were supposed to take an examination to be conducted by the National Youth Commission (NYC).
“Ngunit sa pag-iimbestiga ng task force, nakumpirma namin mula mismo kay Commissioner Earl Saavedra ng NYC na wala silang nakatakdang anumang eksaminasyon,” Binay said.
He added that the victims are now under the care of the Visayan Forum and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Binay also said the recruiter—a government employee—was arrestred and charges of violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Human Trafficking Act) and RA 7610 ( Protection Against Child Abuse) are set to be filed against the person.
Binay thanked all government agencies that were involved in the success of the rescue operation.
“Nais kong pasalamatan ang lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno na nagtulung-tulong sa operasyong ito, na muling nagpapatunay sa determinasyon ng inyong pamahalaan sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Aquino, na sugpuin ang human trafficking at ang pagsasamantala sa ating mga kabataan,” he said.
“Gayundin sa Visayan Forum, ang isa sa ating mga kasamang nongovernment organizations sa kampanya laban sa human trafficking,” he added.
Source:http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/27382-50-women-rescued-from-human-traffickers
