Image via Wikipedia MANILA, Philippines – Over 200 victims of human trafficking, including at least 15 minors, were rescued Wednesday night during an inter-agency operation in Angeles City in Pampanga, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Thursday.
De Lima said that the 268 women and minors were discovered to be working at the establishments identified as Camelot, Dirty Duck and Forbidden City.
De Lima said the owners and managers of these establishments would face charges.
“This is a breakthrough in our anti-[human] trafficking initiatives,” De Lima said.
The US State Department's 2010 report on human trafficking has retained the Philippines in its “Tier 2 watchlist rank.”
The Philippines may lose some $250 million in aid from the US if it fails to improve its conviction rate against human traffickers.
The Angeles City raid was described by De Lima as a “very big operation” that was planned for several weeks.
Those involved in the operations were the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, which is headed by the Justice Department.
De Lima said that the 268 women and minors were discovered to be working at the establishments identified as Camelot, Dirty Duck and Forbidden City.
De Lima said the owners and managers of these establishments would face charges.
“This is a breakthrough in our anti-[human] trafficking initiatives,” De Lima said.
The US State Department's 2010 report on human trafficking has retained the Philippines in its “Tier 2 watchlist rank.”
The Philippines may lose some $250 million in aid from the US if it fails to improve its conviction rate against human traffickers.
The Angeles City raid was described by De Lima as a “very big operation” that was planned for several weeks.
Those involved in the operations were the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, which is headed by the Justice Department.
268 rescued in anti-human trafficking drive—De Lima - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
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