CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija – Two workers, including a minor, allegedly maltreated by their employer were rescued after five of their companions managed to escape and sought help from authorities in Barangay DL Maglanoc here on Monday.
Reports reaching the office of Nueva Ecija police chief Col. Jess Mendez showed that rescue operation hatched by personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and San Jose City police station saved two workers aged 16 and 22 years at about 3:30 p.m.
Earlier that day, police said, five workers reported that their employer, identified as Ryan Escobar, 35, of Barangay Bantug this municipality has been maltreating them. Four of the five workers who had escaped were also minors aged 15 to 16.
“(They) revealed that two of their companions were still under the custody of their employer,” police said, prompting the rescue operation.
Investigation disclosed all seven victims, were allegedly recruited from Barangay San Roque, Tabaco City, Albay by a certain Bernadita Baltazar, 62, of Barangay DL Maglanoc. They were later employed by Escobar, a businessman. Their nature of work was not immediately disclosed.
A criminal case of qualified human trafficking under Republic Act 9208 has been filed against Escobar.
The rescued minors were placed under the custody of the municipal social welfare and development office.
