Immigration officers intercepted 14 suspected human trafficking victims and two recruiters at Manila and Clark airports after discovering that the group was bound for illegal employment in Russia, officials reported Wednesday.

The rescues occurred on 8 August during separate departure inspections at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City and Clark International Airport Terminal 2 in Pampanga.

At Clark, officers stopped six men in their 40s and 50s attempting to board a Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong.

The passengers initially claimed to be former military colleagues on vacation, but immigration officers noted conflicting details during secondary inspection. The men later admitted they were traveling to Russia for jobs promising monthly salaries of $3,000.

At the Manila airport, officers rescued eight other passengers — six men and two women in their 30s to 50s — who were boarding a Cebu Pacific flight to Singapore.

The group claimed to be on a business trip before admitting they had been lured to Russia by promises of high wages and Russian citizenship.

The Manila group identified two fellow passengers — a man and a woman — as their recruiters. Both facilitators insisted that the group was traveling for legitimate business purposes.