A Filipina trafficking victim who gave birth while detained in Malaysia arrived in the country last week with her month-old baby, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported.

BI said the 33-year-old mother from North Cotabato arrived last Friday aboard MV Antonia 1 with her child, who was born on 18 October.

Initial reports indicated that the woman was recruited to work at a palm oil plantation and was transported through an illegal route from Zamboanga to Sandakan via Jolo for four days along with eight other migrants.

Upon arrival in Sandakan, the group was allegedly ordered to jump into the water near the port to evade Malaysian authorities before being taken to an oil plantation in Lahad Datu.

“They were later brought to an oil plantation in Lahad Datu, where each victim was required to pay 1,700 Malaysian Ringgit for their travel, collected upon arrival,” BI said.

The woman and her child have been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

BI reiterated its warning to the public against accepting unverified job offers abroad.

The woman’s husband, who was trafficked separately, had been deported to the Philippines in October.