Cops rescue 6 'trafficked' minors at GenSan airport

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Aviation security personnel rescued at the city airport here on Monday at least six minors, including a three-year-old child, who were suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

In a report released on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Florencio Soriano Jr., regional commander of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Unit-12, said the minors were intercepted around 11:20 a.m. while preparing to board a flight bound for Manila.

Soriano said their personnel initially found the minors, who were reportedly from the Manobo tribe, carrying “questionable documents” and were not accompanied by their parents.

They were reportedly escorted instead by a Pastor Ely Española of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, he said.

Based on their initial investigation, Soriano said the minors, with the eldest allegedly 16-years-old, were enrolled at the Salugpungan Ta'Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center based in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

“(We’re) looking into a possible case build-up for human trafficking against Española,” he said.

The official said airport police station personnel--headed by Capt. Maria Amor Reina--turned over the children to the Crisis Intervention Unit of the City Social Welfare and Development Office for “sheltering, documentation and assessment.”

He added that the children were evaluated to be “in good physical and mental condition.” (PNA)