The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII received 119 individuals, or 98 families, who are victims of trafficking in persons (TIP) from Tubba Lubok Island, Barangay Aluh Bunah, Pangutan, Sulu, Philippines, at Pier 4 in Cebu City.

These individuals, accompanied by personnel from the Ministry of Social Services and Development-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM), the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Sulu, the Women and Children Protection Center-Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU), and the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippines, were transported from Sulu to Cebu City.

Of the 131 victims, only 119 were brought to Cebu City, while the remainder were returned to Sulu and Zamboanga for processing and eventual reintegration into their families and communities. Most of these victims consist of fishermen and their families.

Most of them come from the Visayas Region, particularly Region VII. In Cebu Province, the rescued trafficked persons hail from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Daanbantayan, and Talisay City, and in Bohol Province, they originate from Danao City and Talibon, Inabanga, Tubigon, Getafe, Trinidad, and Tagbilaran City. Some victims also come from Region 8 (Samar).

DSWD Field Office 7 provided a total of Php 980,000 cash assistance to 98 families of trafficked persons.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero of DSWD Region VII, in her speech, encourages the victims to embark on a fresh start with the assistance of cash support from DSWD as they look for employment or livelihood.

She also said that the LGUs will further assess their needs to be able to provide the appropriate interventions through LGU support or through NGAs, where applicable. ###

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