The victims of calamities that recently struck Zamboanga City are hereby warned against illegal recruiters and human traffickers for the latters' nefarious activities. It is noted that victims of calamities become prone to falling prey to recruitment malpractices and human trafficking inasmuch as they tend to become desperate in earning a living for themselves and for their dependents.

Displaced persons and evacuees -brought about the recent armed conflict in Zamboanga City between members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government soldiers,and massive flooding in some Barangays -should be wary of illegal recruiters who may take advantage of their condition, especially those who lost their jobs and other sources of livelihood as they are the likely victims of these criminal activities.

In a quoted statement, Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano said that recruiters and traffickers would usually target women and children by promising them jobs as household service workers or construction workers but end up as sex slaves or in other exploitative employment.

DOLE 9, along with its family of agencies, is now on the lookout for suspicious recruitment and trafficking activities in the City and is working in partnership with the Zamboanga City Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZCSBATTF) to better address trafficking especially in these trying times.

Applicants from the calamity-stricken areas are encouraged to verify with the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 9, 3rd Floor, QNS Building, Veterans Avenue, Zamboanga City or POEA-Regional Extension Unit which is located at Mayor Jaldon Street, Canelar, Zamboanga City, if the recruiter has a valid license or authorization to recruit applicants before accepting any job offer.