The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office (FO) 10- Northern Mindanao continues to monitor the cases of the 10 minors who were rescued during the anti-human trafficking entrapment operations in Iligan City last May 7 and 9, an agency official said on Thursday (May 15).

Regional Director Ramel Jamen of the DSWD Northern Mindanao reported to the Central Office that social workers from the Field Office will continue to render case management of the children, legal coordination, and rehabilitation support to ensure that they will recover from their traumatic experiences.

“As public servants, it is our calling to act swiftly and compassionately in the face of exploitation. At DSWD, we are anchored in the values of maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo and tapat na paglilingkod sa bayan. We do not just respond—we care deeply. These children deserve not only rescue but a life of healing, opportunity, and respect,” Director Jamen said in his report to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

The coordinated operations were led by the Philippine National Police – Women and Children Protection Center-Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU) and the Iligan City Police Office Task Force OSAEC, with critical support from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10, Regional Anti-Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force 10 of the Department of Justice, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) – Iligan City, and DSWD-10.

Director Jamen said the social workers from DSWD-10 and CSWDO Iligan immediately provided trauma-informed care and psychosocial support after the rescue operations. They also arranged safe shelter for the victims through the Children Assessment and Processing Center.

“These rescue operations go beyond law enforcement—it is about restoring dignity and hope to children who have been stripped of both,” Director Jamen said. (AKDL)