By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested three individuals and rescued 27 victims in a series of operations against human trafficking in Tawi-Tawi.
The NBI’s Human Trafficking Division, in a statement on Wednesday, identified the three suspects as Hashim Sanilyn, Asanuddin Nursida, and Halon Mozamil.
The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by one of the victims, who alleged that a specific group of individuals was involved in human trafficking by recruiting and transporting victims to work abroad illegally.
During the investigation, the complainant disclosed that he was recruited via Telegram by the group to work in a gaming hub in Cambodia.
Instead of taking a direct route to Cambodia, the victims were instructed to travel irregularly through Manila, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, Malaysia, and finally Cambodia.
Their passports would be confiscated, and heavy penalties would be imposed if they failed to complete a one-year contract.
On Sept. 5, a combined team closely monitored the complainant and his group as they traveled to Tawi-Tawi. Upon their arrival at Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi, the operatives followed the complainant and arrested the two facilitators of their travel, identified as Hashim and Asannudin.
The operation also resulted in the rescue of the human trafficking victims and the seizure of the suspects’ mobile phones.
On Sept. 6, another facilitator, identified as Mozamil, was arrested in a follow-up operation.
The suspects face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 9208, as amended by RA 10364, and further amended by RA 11862 (Expanded-Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022); and RA 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995).
Fugitive caught after 41 years in hiding
Meanwhile, the NBI on Wednesday announced that operatives of the NBI-Cordillera region have arrested a man wanted for murder who has been on the run for the past four decades.
Mario Lumague, a fugitive for 41 years, was arrested on the strength of a warrant of arrest dated Feb. 27, 1986, issued by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 5, Baguio City.
Lumague was charged with murder in 1983, but escaped from police custody before his scheduled court hearing on Nov. 19, 1984.
He had been sighted in Baguio City, driving a taxi cab, and during drinking sessions with co-drivers, boasting that he killed somebody in Baguio City in the 1980s.
Upon verifying that Lumague still had an active warrant for murder, the NBI-Cordillera launched a surveillance operation.
The suspect was arrested on Sept. 4 inside his rented apartment in Upper Pinget, Baguio City. (PNA)
