Manila, Feb. 5 -- Authorities arrested six Chinese nationals and rescued 65 Filipino workers during a raid on an illicit cigarette factory here last week.

Speaking at a press briefing following a visit to the raided warehouse on Thursday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the operation, conducted on Jan. 28, also resulted in the confiscation of PHP400 million worth of illegal cigarettes.

"Rescued po sila, sila 'yung victims ng human trafficking (They were rescued, they are victims of human trafficking)," Remulla said, adding that the Filipinos were forced to work in "inhumane" conditions.

Remulla said the Filipinos, 54 men and 11 women, were recruited with the promise of a PHP15,000 monthly salary but were never paid by the operat...