isko Mayor Isko Moreno with SMART chief LtCol. Jhun Ibay (right) after receiving a report on the arrival of the Badjaos at the Pier area in Tondo. Photo by JERRY S. TAN

Isko: Badjao being exploited by syndicates

June 5, 2021 Itchie G. Cabayan 2048 views

PAG natiyempuhan ko kayo… we’ll see.”

Thus warned Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, after joint teams from the Manila Police District headed by its Director, Gen. Leo Francisco, the special mayor’s reaction team (SMART) under Lt. Col. Jhun Ibay and the social welfare department under its chief Re Fugoso rounded up a total of 280 Badjaos believed to be victims of human trafficking, upon arrival at the Pier area in Tondo. Four of them, so far, were found to be COVID positive.

Moreno said the poor Badjaos that come from Mindanao are being exploited by syndicates who make them come to Manila on the promise of a better life, only to make them beg on the streets and live as squatters.

“Nagtataka mga taga-Maynila, despite na kinukuha natin ang mga homeless magi-isang taon na, bakit ang dami pa ring umiikot, homeless at namamalimos sa kalsada?” Moreno said.

Since the pandemic hit last year, the city government, through the office of Fugoso, had been continuously taking in homeless people and bringing them to the city’s facilities where they are given shelter and food. They, specially the children, are also provided with monthly check-ups and free entertainment via film showing.

The purpose for taking in these individuals, Moreno said, is to get them out of harm’s way and the possibility of contracting the coronavirus.

While the local government is happy to be of help, Moreno lamented that there are syndicates that thrive in the sufferings of the Badjaos.

Moreno said the city government received a tipped information about the arrival of the said Badjaos and the tip proved to be true.

Fugoso had been tasked by Moreno to temporarily take care of the said Badjaos while the city authorities are working on ways to send them back home.

According to Moreno, the police already have the identities of those behind the syndicate involved and that it is just a matter of time before they are put behind bars.

“Out of 280 na Badjao na may mga dalang sanggol, me apat nag-positive sa test. Imagine, magkakasama sila may mga dalang sanggol… nakakalungkot talagang me mga walanghiya pa din na walang pakundangan, para bang hindi takot sa COVID,” Moreno said.

“Sa aming pagsisiyasat, alam na namin. Pag confirmed na, kakalawitin natin ang mga talipandas at tolongges na ‘yan,” he vowed.

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