MANILA, Philippines - Fifty women victims of human trafficking were rescued in Zamboanga City yesterday, Vice President Jejomar Binay said.

In a hastily called press conference at the Office of the Vice President at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City, Binay said the victims were mostly minors and are residents of Makiri, Isabela City in Basilan.

CEBU CITY — The National Statistics Office (NSO) 7 is further strengthening its campaign against child trafficking by enforcing strict measures in claiming birth certificates, where only parents and legal guardians are allowed to claim a child’s birth record.

NSO 7 public information officer Noel Rafols said the agency is joining the inter-agency campaign against human and child trafficking in the country by strictly implementing the rules in claiming birth certificates.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday claimed law enforcement officials will pull no stops in going after the human trafficking syndicates behind the illegal recruitment of Filipina workers who were forced to work in Hong Kong without pay.

De Lima made the claim following the rescue of Jona (not her real name), who earlier had faced charges before the Shatin Court in Hong Kong for overstaying and working without the necessary permits.