The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on 19 June that three women — all in their early 30s — were intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 last Saturday, suspected victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Reports said that the women were initially flagged for secondary inspection while attempting to board a Vietnam Airlines flight to Hanoi.

According to a BI statement, their actual destination was reportedly Bulgaria, where they had allegedly been recruited to work as chambermaids and domestic workers.