Public advised against giving them money
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) head Pacita Tero, with the holiday season approaching, the local population of Badjaos, who are often seen begging on the street, is expected to increase.
She noted, there is already a noticeable increase in the number of Badjaos in the city, with many asking for money from motorists.
DSSD had been conducting rescue operations with most of them turning out to be residents of Sagay City and Victorias City.
Tero also urged the public not to give them money.
Last year, the DSSD’s Anti-Mendicancy Task Force found one of the Badjaos they rescued remitted a total of P38,000 to Mindanao.
Earlier, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas called upon the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to look into the possibility of a syndicate organizing Badjaos.
According to Public Safety and Transportation Management Office head Jeck Conlu, they have been able to trace the origins of local Badjaos to areas such as Zamboanga and Jolo after reviewing remittance records./DGB, WDJ