The Bureau of Immigration (BI) was placed on heightened alert to prevent undesirable aliens and human trafficking victims from taking advantage of the long Holy Week break to slip in or out of the country.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. directed immigration officers and immigration intelligence agents stationed in the ports to be extra vigilant and closely monitor all arriving and departing international travelers.

CEBU CITY, Philippines – 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 they are joining the inter-agency campaign against human and child trafficking in the country by strictly implementing the rules in claiming birth certificates. He said human traffickers used to get birth certificates easily and then apply for a child’s passport and then bring the child abroad for exploitation.

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.