ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Woman held for child trafficking

BUTUAN CITY – For allegedly offering her daughter and younger sisters to online sex predators, a woman was arrested during a raid on her house in Barangay Poblacion, Barobo, Surigao del Sur on Friday.

Col. Christine Tan, chief of the Women and Children Protection Center–Mindanao Field Unit, said the woman had been under surveillance for several months.

The suspect’s four-year-old daughter and sisters, aged 13 and 15, were placed under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development office in Caraga. – Ben Serrano

4 Vietnamese poachers nabbed in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four Vietnamese fishermen were apprehended for poaching in the waters off Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi on Friday.

Commodore Joseph Coyme, Philippine Coast Guard Southwestern district commander, said PCG personnel were conducting maritime patrol when they spotted an unregistered vessel manned by Vietnamese fishermen at about 3 p.m.

Coyme said a drum, which contained sea cucumbers, was found in the boat.

The vessel and its crewmembers were escorted to Great Bakungan Island off Taganak for investigation.

Taganak Mayor Mohammad Faizal Jamalul said Vietnamese fishermen usually venture at night to catch green sea turtle, which is on the list of endangered species.

Jamalul appealed to the PCG and Western Mindanao Command to help in the preservation and protection of endangered marine species in their area of responsibility. – Roel Pareño

Laborer stabbed to death in karaoke bar

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan – A laborer died in a knife attack during a birthday party in a karaoke bar in Barangay Aurora, Quezon, Isabela on Friday.

Police said Jhun Ramirez was declared dead on arrival at the Quezon Community Hospital. The suspect, Rey Borja, escaped. Borja allegedly stabbed Ramirez to death for singing the song that the suspect selected. – Raymund Catindig