The Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado issued another warning to the public regarding the trafficking schemes used by the syndicate.

This comes as operatives of the agency intercepted three victims, ages 27, 25 and 42 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on 20 January when they attempted to depart the country for Vietnam with their purported employer.

According to the agency, the trafficker and his victims disguised themselves as coworkers traveling to Vietnam, claiming that their trip was a reward or incentive for their hard work.

BI officials determined that during the secondary interview, the victims disclosed that they had actually intended to work illegally in Bulgaria without the required permits and documentation after their trip to Vietnam.

Further investigation also revealed that the traffickers had lured the victims with the promise of no fees or charges for their trip.

“The strategy of guaranteeing no up-front costs or fees frequently leaves victims indebted to their recruiter because their salaries and passports are frequently taken,” Viado said.

“This purported salary deduction scheme is really debt bondage, which is a type of trafficking,” he added.

The BI chief also revealed that the trafficker could face charges under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, while the victims have been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance.