The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has renewed its warning against leaving the country through unauthorized channels following the repatriation of 11 Filipinos from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

The group arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay aboard a Philippines AirAsia flight on 16 June, authorities said.

Initial interviews conducted by immigration officers revealed that six of the repatriates had left the Philippines through an irregular migration route, commonly known as the “backdoor,” bypassing official exit controls before seeking employment in Malaysia.

The repatriates found work in various sectors, including construction, mechanics and maritime jobs, while one woman was recruited to work as an entertainer.

Most of the workers reported that they did not receive their salaries during their time abroad.

Immigration commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the case highlights the extreme risks faced by Filipinos who bypass legal departure processes for overseas employment.

“Unscrupulous recruiters continue to prey on Filipinos by promising jobs abroad while encouraging them to bypass legal departure processes,” Viado said in a statement.

“Those who take these illegal routes often end up vulnerable to exploitation, unpaid labor, abuse, and abandonment, with little protection from authorities,” he added.

Viado urged job seekers to pursue employment abroad exclusively through legal and documented channels regulated by the government.