MANILA — The Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking (IACAT) on Sunday said it has filed cases against two recruitment agencies and rescued a total of 176 victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
In a report to the Department of Justice (DOJ), IACAT Operations Center (IACAT-OPCEN) Head Ramon Yap identified the two recruitment agencies as Global Connect Manpower Resources and Development, Inc. and Liszil International Manpower Agency. The agencies were recommended for prosecution for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9208 (Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) as amended; and RA 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Act of 1995) as amended.
Yap said IACAT was able to rescue Global’s 137 victims, 25 of whom were minors, who were each offered jobs as household service workers in Saudi Arabia with a PHP20,000 salary.
However, they were found padlocked inside an accommodation house while awaiting deployment.
The IACAT was also able to rescue 39 female recruits, seven of whom were minors, from Liszil’s accommodation house in San Andres Bukid, Manila.
Yap said the rescue was made during separate operations at the two recruitment agencies.
The minor-victims have been brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The IACAT is the body mandated by law to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Expanded Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
It is chaired by the DOJ Secretary and co-chaired by the DSWD Secretary. ( /PNA)
