Trafficked individuals intercepted
It was discovered that they had valid tourist visas for Dubai and had been promised employment in the United Arab Emirates without proper documentation under the Department of Migrant Workers
Daily TribuneIt was discovered that they had valid tourist visas for Dubai and had been promised employment in the United Arab Emirates without proper documentation under the Department of Migrant Workers
FILE: Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco (Photo from the Bureau of Immigration)
The Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday disclosed that its operatives at the Clark International Airport apprehended two travelers after learning they were victims of human trafficking bound for Bangkok, Thailand.
According to BI-CIA, the individuals initially presented themselves as tourists traveling in a group via a Cebu Pacific flight.
"The passengers gave inconsistent statements and were thus referred for secondary inspection by our alert immigration officers," BI commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
The BI chief said that after further investigation, it was discovered that they had valid tourist visas for Dubai and had been promised employment in the United Arab Emirates without proper documentation under the Department of Migrant Workers.
"This interception underscores the dangers of leaving the country undocumented and falling victim to human trafficking schemes. These individuals were lured with false promises of employment, only to find themselves at the mercy of traffickers with no legal protections," Tansingco said.
