Zambo Norte police rescue 5 human trafficking victims; arrest 2 suspects

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, June 24 (PNA) -- Police have rescued five human trafficking victims and arrested two people, including a policeman, in a law enforcement operation in the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Senior Supt. Edwin Wagan, Zamboanga del Norte police director, identified the arrested suspects as PO2 Joel Belleno and his cohort, Amelito Jake, 40.

Belleno is assigned in the municipality of Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Wagan said Belleno and Jake were arrested in a raid around 9 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Tuburan, Katipunan town.

He said the raid was carried out by virtue of a warrant issued by a Dipolog City court against the suspects for violation of Section 3, Paragraph A, H and J of Republic Act 10364 otherwise known as the Expanded Anti-trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

He did not release the identities of the rescued victims except to say they are all women.

They were placed under the care of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office.

Wagan said the raiding team has recovered at the suspects’ hideout five laptop computers, cellular phone, a Sports Utility Vehicle, a motorcycle and other accessories.

Wagan said appropriate charges are set to be filed against the suspects, who were detained at the provincial police headquarters.

Wagan said he will not tolerate any wrongdoings committed by policemen under his command. (PNA)
JMC/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION