The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded to an alleged HUMAN TRAFFICKING INCIDENT involving seven individuals on board a private boat that departed from Jolo, Sulu enroute to Tawi-Tawi, at around 4AM-5AM yesterday, 19 January 2023.

A concerned citizen reported the said incident to the PCG Command Center as his wife was one of the seven individuals on board.

He further stated that upon arrival in Tawi-Tawi, they will be transferred to another boat that will transport them to Cambodia.

Immediately, the PCG District BARMM coordinated with the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group to intercept the private boat.

The authorities seized the boat in the vicinity waters off Lupa Pula, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.

[Progress report to follow]