9 Filipinas rescued from human trafficking syndicate in Sabah

 

The rescued Filipinas in Semporna, Sabah. (Immigration dept pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Nine Filipinas promised lucrative jobs in the Middle East have been rescued by the Sabah immigration department in Semporna.

The victims, who were rescued in two separate operations on July 8 and July 9, were told by the syndicate that they would be getting jobs with lucrative incomes in Jordan and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Sabah immigration director Muhamad Sade Mohammad Amin said the raid was carried out on an unnumbered house near Sekolah Kebangsaan Pekan Semporna and another house in Kampung Terusan Hujung Batu, Pulau Bum-Bum.

He said the women, aged from 25 to 40, were rescued in an operation by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) division.

“In the same operation, we also arrested two men and a Filipina, all aged 28 to 40, who were suspected to be part of the syndicate,” he said in a statement.

Sade said an initial investigation found that the suspects charged each victim up to RM13,000 as fees for getting them the jobs, adding those arrested were being detained at the Papar immigration depot.

He said the victims were now at a women’s shelter here.

The victims and suspects would undergo health screenings, including for Covid-19, as required under the SOPs.

“The suspects will be investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007. If convicted, they face imprisonment of up to 15 years or a fine, or both,” he said. - FMT