BI warns vs ‘backdoor’ exits after trafficking victims repatriated

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday raised concern over the continued use of illegal “backdoor” exit routes after two Filipino trafficking victims were repatriated more than a year after leaving the country through unauthorized channels.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the latest case underscores the need to intensify monitoring of known illegal departure points, particularly along the country’s southern borders, where trafficking syndicates continue to operate.

The victims, two males aged 27 and 30, arrived in Manila before dawn on March 20 from Vientiane, Laos, aboard a Philippine Airlines flight. Authorities said the pair had been recruited in 2025 for supposed overseas jobs but instead fell prey to trafficking schemes.

Initial investigation showed the victims exited the Philippines via an irregular migration corridor in Zamboanga waters, bypassing official immigration checks using small boats—an approach commonly exploited by human trafficking groups.

They were promised legitimate work as waiters and farm workers, with monthly salaries ranging from ₱40,000 to ₱60,000.

However, upon arrival in Laos, they were allegedly forced to work as “love scammers,” targeting foreign nationals through online romance fraud.

Viado said the case reflects a broader pattern of trafficking operations that capitalize on weakly monitored coastal areas.

He stressed the need for stronger inter-agency coordination and enforcement, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to tighten border security and combat transnational crimes.

The BI chief also cited increased vigilance among law enforcement agencies and local government units in known migration “hotspots,” noting a rise in identity verification requests linked to attempted illegal border crossings over the past year.

“We commit to provide information on illegal routes that victims might have taken, to allow local government units and law enforcement agencies to tighten security in emerging hotspots,” Viado said.

He warned trafficking syndicates that authorities are stepping up efforts to dismantle illegal exit networks and hold perpetrators accountable.

“Traffickers who exploit illegal exit routes are warned that enforcement actions will be intensified,” he added.