Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested a suspected illegal recruiter at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to reports on Friday.

Authorities identified the suspect as Jacob Jumallon Tuballa, who has been subjected to inquest proceedings before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office for violations of Republic Act (RA) 8042, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, and RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Tuballa was said to be among four Filipinos intercepted by immigration officers at NAIA Terminal 1 on 20 January before they could board their flight to Vietnam.

The four Filipinos claimed to be tourists, but immigration officers suspected them of being human trafficking victims and turned them over to the NBI International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID).

The NBI said the three victims disclosed that the actual reason for their travel was to fly to Bulgaria for employment purposes.

“Also, the victims revealed through their sworn statement that their companion, Tuballa was the one who recruited them and facilitated their travel to Vietnam,” the NBI said.

The probe also revealed that the recruited Filipinos “will be employed as ‘ironers’ in Bulgaria and were promised by one of the victims that she would receive a salary of about P34,000, while the two others would receive a salary of 550 to 800 euros,” it added.

It also said that “verification made by the agents of NBI-IAID with the Department of Migrant Workers revealed, through certification, that Tuballa is not licensed/authorized by the DMW to recruit workers for overseas employment.”