112 human trafficking victims rescued

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela — A total of 112 alleged victims of human trafficking, including three minors, were rescued by authorities last Friday at a plantation in Barangay Alicaocao, here, where their working and living conditions were reportedly unbearable.

Superintendent Manuel Bringas, of the Isabela Police Provincial Office’s (PPO’s) Provincial Anti-Trafficking Task Group, said the victims were sugarcane workers coming from Bicol region, General Santos City, and the provinces of Saranggani and Negros Oriental.

Last Friday night, Bringas’ police operatives were joined by representatives of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Region 2 and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in swooping down on the ECO Fuel Sugarcane Plantation in Barangay Alicaocao.

ECO Fuel Sugarcane Plantation Human Resource Manager Jun Gammad had an argument with the raiding team, but later yielded when DOJ representatives explained to him violations of the law committed by the company.

Meantime, the workers have already packed their belongings and were ready to return home.

“Nai-rescue ang mga ito nang makatakas ang iba nilang kasama at makauwi sa Saranggani at agad na nakipag ugnayan at isinumbong ang hindi makataong pagtrato sa mga worker (These workers were rescued after a few of them had earlier escaped. Upon returning to Saranggani, they told authorities how inhumanely they were treated),” said Bringas.

When the workers were recruited in their respective provinces, they were promised a R280 daily salary and given a R5,000 advance payment, said Bringas.

“But when they reached here, their promised pay rate was not followed. They get sick and do not have access to a doctor. Even their food is a problem,” he added.

Yesterday, all those rescued from the plantation have reached the DSWD’s Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City.