DOJ Action Center - Region X

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐃𝐎𝐉) 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐢 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫.

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 victims’ 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 government’s 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.