The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday reported that its operatives intercepted a 22-year-old Filipina passenger suspected of being a victim of a mail-order bride scheme at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Immigration officers at Terminal 1 apprehended the woman as she attempted to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Shanghai, China.

The woman initially claimed she was traveling to visit her Chinese husband. However, immigration officers grew suspicious due to inconsistencies between her statements and the documents she presented.

She claimed to have recently married her husband after a three-year relationship but provided contradictory information about the marriage.

The woman eventually admitted that she met her husband for the first time only a day after connecting with him through an internet app in November. They married two days later in exchange for P50,000 to support her family.

The woman also revealed that her husband inquired if she received commissions for referring other Filipinas, which she denied.

“This scheme’s recruitment is facilitated by social media,” said BI commissioner Atty. Joel Viado in a statement.

“Because they are already married to their foreign partners, Filipinas are sometimes forced to perform unpaid domestic labor in these pseudo-marriages,” he added.

The victim was turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation and the filing of necessary charges.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-AVSEGROUP) arrested a 33-year-old Filipino traveler from Dubai at NAIA on Saturday. The man was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant.

In cooperation with airport officials at Terminal 3, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Quezon City District Field Unit and NAIA Police Station 3 conducted a joint operation to apprehend the suspect.

The arrest warrant was issued for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The suspect is facing a recommended bail of P200,000.

He is currently in the custody of the CIDG Quezon City District Field Unit for proper documentation and legal inquest proceedings.

“The moment they set foot in our airports, the law is already one step ahead,” said PNP-AVSEGROUP acting director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia as he stressed that airports are not safe havens for fugitives or escape routes.

He added that the PNP-AVSEGROUP remains committed to pursuing those who believe they can evade justice as the arrest demonstrates the agency’s vigilance and effective coordination with law enforcement partners.