28/04/2026
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ (๐๐๐) ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ-๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐จ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ง๐๐จ ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), through its Iligan District Office under the supervision of National Director Atty. Melvin Matibag, successfully conducted a rescue operation involving two (2) minors in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
The operation was initiated following a walk-in complaint received, wherein the mother reported the alleged exploitation and trafficking of her children.
This immediate coordination enabled a prompt and targeted response by NBI operatives.
The minors, reportedly from the Municipality of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, were safely recovered and secured by NBI-ILDO personnel in Marawi City.
After the rescue, the Department of Justice, through the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC), the Regional Anti-Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force X (RACETTF-X) headed by Regional Prosecutor Merlynn Barola-Uy, the National Bureau of Investigation under the directive of Director Melvin A. Matibag (NBI), the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) executed a seamless inter-agency response to ensure the victimsโ transition from rescue to recovery. This included their safe reunification with their mother and their endorsement to appropriate authorities for rehabilitation, aftercare, and continued protection.
The successful operation underscores the critical role of the DOJ Action Center as a platform for accessible reporting and rapid coordination among law enforcement and social service agencies. It further highlights the governmentโs strengthened inter-agency collaboration in addressing child trafficking and protecting vulnerable sectors across Northern Mindanao. The mother reportedly found out that she could go directly to the NBI for such complaints owing to the knowledge she gained from the DOJAC Katarungan Caravan held recently on February 21, 2026, at Iligan City.
Authorities continue to pursue further investigation and case build-up in relation to the incident.
