TAWI-TAWI — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three individuals in Tawi-Tawi for qualified human trafficking and rescued 27 victims in a joint operation, authorities said.

The suspects—HASHIM SANILYN y LADJA, ASANUDDIN NURSIDA y JAJI, and HALON MOZAMIL y ABDUL—were charged under Republic Act No. 9208, as amended by R.A. Nos. 10364 and 11862 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022), and R.A. No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995).

The operation stemmed from a complaint by one of the victims, who said the suspects recruited and transported workers to POGO hubs abroad illegally. Investigations revealed that victims were coerced into traveling irregularly through Manila, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, Malaysia, and finally Cambodia, with passports confiscated and penalties threatened if they failed to complete a one-year contract.

On September 5, 2025, a joint team including NBI-HTRAD, NBI-Western Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-WEMRO), Ninoy Aquino International Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIATFAT), Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), DSWD, Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZSBATTF), and PNP Maritime Group closely monitored the complainant and arrested HASHIM and ASANUDDIN at Sanga-Sanga Airport. A follow-up operation on September 6 led to the arrest of MOZAMIL while transporting the victims.

The arrested suspects and rescued victims were brought to NBI-WEMRO in Zamboanga City, and inquest proceedings were conducted on September 8.

NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) lauded the operatives for their diligence and thanked supporting agencies for their role in the operation’s success.