BI intercepts China-bound passengers, flags possible trafficking victims

The Bureau of Immigration has turned over four departing passengers to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) after they were intercepted for posing as tourists bound for China but were later assessed as potential victims of human trafficking.

The incident occurred on 15 January 2026 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, where immigration officers rescued two alleged victims and intercepted two suspected couriers.

The four passengers were attempting to depart for China aboard a Philippine Airlines flight.

Officers from the Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) determined that two of the passengers, both women, were potential trafficking victims. The remaining two passengers, identified as a husband and wife, were assessed as possible couriers accompanying the victims.

One of the women initially claimed that the group was traveling for a five-day incentive tour sponsored by a local employer. However, immigration officers noted inconsistencies in her statements during further questioning.

She later admitted that her true purpose of travel was to seek employment as a domestic helper in China for an unidentified employer, with a promised monthly salary of P40,000.

The two victims and the two suspected couriers were turned over to IACAT for further investigation and appropriate action.