Five minors were rescued from illegal recruitment, by security personnel of the Philippine Ports Authority, at the Dumaguete City port, recently.

The minors, aged between 14 to 16, were about to board the Manila-bound Superferry vessel, when they were intercepted by guards from the Lockheed Security group, after noticing that no adult accompanied them.

The PPA police, under Sr. Insp. Cenando Catalan, rounded up the minors, when they failed to present identification cards. One of them was a deaf-mute.

Sandra Delfin of the local Department of Labor and Employment said the PPA sought their help in interviewing the minors to determine if they were victims of illegal recruitment.

“We were able to confirm that these minors were illegally recruited to work in Manila, and were promised babysitting jobs,” Delfin said.

They were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Tanjay City.

Delfin, who is also the focal person on child labor, said there is a need for local governments to craft ordinances to prevent the illegal recruitment of minors in their areas.

There should be an ordinance that will require minors to seek clearance from the DSWD if they travel without an adult, she said.*PIA

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