Authorities caught an allegedly illegal cigarette factory in Cavite early Friday morning, arresting two individuals and ‘rescuing’ 11 workers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
The bust came through a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Angelina A. Mailom-Orendain of Regional Trial Court Branch 92 in Calamba City, Laguna, targeting the alleged factory operating out of a supposed leisure park in Trece Martires City, according to the PNP in a statement on Friday.
The warrant was issued for violation of Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
‘The operation resulted in the arrest of two people, one is a native of Masbate City, while the other is from Pasay City. The modus of the arrested. is to recruit workers from poor communities in the Visayas and Mindanao to work in a factory of counterfeit cigarettes,’ the PNP explained. ‘Meanwhile, rescued were 11 male workers, including a 17-year-old teenage boy, who were reportedly recruited from Masbate and nearby provinces to work under questionable labor conditions. Investigation is ongoing to determine if there were also labor laws violated,’ it added.
The PNP did not provide further details about the arrested suspects and ‘rescued’ workers, only noting that they will be brought to the Trece Martires City Police Station for documentation.
‘The PNP will continue to work closely with government agencies and local authorities to dismantle trafficking networks and hold perpetrators accountable, in support of the government’s broader campaign for safe and dignified employment for all Filipinos,’ the agency stressed.