The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) now holds the protective custody of nine female minors who were rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in an anti-human trafficking entrapment operation in Pasay City last August 10, 2016.

According to the report of the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) of Pasay, the minors were saved along with three adult females who were allegedly being sexually exploited in exchange for money.

At present, the minors are now admitted at a DSWD residential care facility of DSWD-NCR and are currently undergoing recovery and rehabilitation treatments, while the adults were released to their respective families.

DSWD-NCR will continue to monitor the situation of all the human trafficking victims for additional assistance and other needed interventions.

DSWD Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo reminded the public to immediately report cases of human trafficking to concerned authorities.

“Ang human trafficking ay isang matinding krimen sa karapatang pantao ng ating mga kababayang maralita na nais lamang magkaroon ng maayos na pamumuhay. Ituloy po natin ang laban kontra rito sa pamamagitan ng pagreport nito sa mga kinauukulan (Human trafficking is a grave human rights offense to our less-fortunate Filipinos who just want to live a convenient life. Let us continue to fight against human trafficking by reporting these cases to authorities),” said Sec. Taguiwalo. ###