Social workers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 3-Central Luzon responded swiftly to assist eight individuals who were rescued in an anti-human trafficking entrapment operations led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday (May 14) at a bar in East Dirita, San Antonio, Zambales.

DSWD spokesperson Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao said the social workers were able to immediately help the eight victim-survivors, including three minors who were subjected to sexual exploitation.

“After the rescue operation, our social workers immediately secured the victim-survivors and attested to their sworn statements. We will also conduct psychosocial counseling sessions to help them recover from the traumatic incident,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, said on Friday (May 16).

The DSWD spokesperson said three of the victim-survivors will be endorsed to a Department partner-non-government organization (NGO) for temporary residential care, while the five will be reunited with their respective families.

Asst. Secretary Dumlao reminded the public to report cases of human trafficking to law enforcement agencies.

“The DSWD, as the co-chair of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), strongly condemns acts of trafficking in person. We appeal to the public to help the government to prevent this type of crime by reporting human trafficking and sexual exploitation cases to our law enforcers,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

The public may also report cases of human trafficking to the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Helpline 1343 Action Line. (AKDL)