by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan May 25 (PIA) – Military
and police personnel stationed in Palawan intercepted a motor launch carrying
six women believed to be victims of human trafficking.
Naval Forces West Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karen
A. Abulon (PN) disclosed that joint elements of Naval Station Del Rosario
(NSNDR) and Balabac PNP intercepted a motor launch at the vicinity of
Calandorang Bay, Balabac in Palawan carrying six women believed to be victims
of human trafficking last May 12 around 5:30 in the afternoon.
Abulon said the operation was a result of a
tip from a concerned citizen to NSNDR, at about 10 o’clock in the morning of
May 12, 2012, that a motor launch named KT Kudat Transport, painted with blue
on its freeboard and pilothouse, will be departing Brgy Bancalaan, Balabac,
Palawan to transport six women to Kudat, Malaysia in any opportune time.
With the information, the Commanding Officer
of NSNDR immediately coordinated with the Balabac Police Office and a joint
operation with elements of NSNDR conducted a navigation patrol to preempt the
illegal intention.
At around 5 o’clock in the afternoon of the
same day, the joint team of NSNDR and Balabac PNP spotted and intercepted a
motor launch matching the given description at the vicinity of Calandorang Bay,
Balabac, Palawan. The team conducted board and search and found on board are
six women, who were identified as: 1) Neriza Balmeo Y Palyvos, 37 years old,
single and a resident of Guiguinto, Bulacan; 2) Marcichelle Reyes Y Lucas, 27
years old, single and a resident Brgy San Antonio, Plaridel, Bulacan; 3) Sadhie
Lazaro Y Lucas, 27 years old, single and a resident of Plaridel, Bulacan; 4) Alma
Sevilla Y Salvacion, 27 years old, single and a resident of Marilao, Bulacan;
5) Christine Jaud Y Garcia, 24 years old, single and a resident of Brgy
Matugbong, Isugod, Quezon, Palawan; and 6) Jopelyn Calaogao Y Jaud, 31 years
old, single and a resident of Brgy Matugbong, Isugod, Quezon, Palawan.
The said motor launch is skippered by a
certain Rumi Bin Mamura with six other crew allegedly all from Brgy Bancalaan.
Further inquiry revealed that the said motor launch is owned by a Chinese
businessman based in Kudat, Malaysia. Authorities found out that the motor
launch has no pertinent documents except for a mayor’s permit with declared
identification and classification as F/B Isle Fortune and is for fishing only.
On the same day, the six women were turned
over to DSWD Balabac while M/L Kudat Transport remained to be in the custody of
Balabac PNP for proper disposition.