NBI looking into Metro IP shipment

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will look into the real identity of persons or groups responsible for the entry of hundreds of Badjaos from Zamboanga City.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra the NBI as a key member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) will be part of the investigation on the entry of the said indigenous people (IP) in Metro Manila.

Those behind the travel of the IPs was allegedly arranged and paid for by an unnamed person.

“That will be part of the investigation. By the way, the NBI is a key member of the IACAT,” Guevarra said.

The justice chief also said the IACAT has expressed serious trafficking concerns about the mass arrival of Badjaos in Metro Manila.

“So arrangements have been made for their return to Zamboanga. The DoTr (Department of Transportation) will provide additional buses to transport our Badjao brothers from their temporary shelter in Quezon City to Manila North Harbor. In the meantime, I will direct the IACAT to investigate this matter further,” Guevarra said.

To recall, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno bared on Saturday the existence of a syndicate exploiting members of the indigenous group prompting the IACAT to scour the roads to rescue the minority people.

The IACAT, said some 303 Badjaos were rescued last 4 June at the Manila North Harbour Seaport upon arrival from Zamboanga City.

At least 282 of the total were rescued and sent back to where they originated primarily to Zamboanga City.

Of the total rescued, 21 will have to stay for a while in Metro Manila, IACAT said “due to health reasons.”

The transport of the 303 IP violated Republic Act 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by RA 10364 and RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

IACAT is made up of members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Commission on Indigenous People.

The IP were turned over to a facility for temporary shelter in Quezon City and will be sent home under the provisions of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa program of the National Housing Authority.

The IACAT said the rescue was done after the Mindanao Field Unit of the Philippine National Police-Women Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) received information last 2 June from the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force and Philippine Coast Guard that about 340 members of the Badjao IP were scheduled to depart Zamboanga City aboard a ship bound to Manila.

According to the information Moreno received, the IP travel was facilitated or sponsored by an undisclosed individual.

The IACAT said that social workers and police investigators were able to interview 271 IP which included 161 adults and 110 minors.

Of the total rescued, 21 will have to stay for a while in Metro Manila, IACAT said ‘due to health reasons.’