Suspected Russia-bound trafficking victims intercepted
Immigration authorities turned all four men over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for formal investigation.
Immigration authorities turned all four men over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for formal investigation.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers intercepted four Filipino travelers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after identifying them as potential human trafficking victims recruited for employment in Russia.
The travelers were stopped during separate secondary inspections at NAIA Terminal 1 on 18 and 19 September after initial border officers flagged inconsistencies in their declared itineraries, according to the immigration enforcement section.
On 18 September, three men initially claimed they were traveling to Thailand together. During secondary questioning, one passenger admitted Russia was his actual destination, stating he was recruited through a social media post for a security guard job offering a P70,000 monthly salary.
The other two passengers disclosed similar overseas employment arrangements arranged by third-party sponsors in Bangkok.
On 19 September, border officers intercepted a fourth male passenger who claimed he was flying to Vietnam.
Investigators uncovered a hidden Russian visa in his possession, and the passenger admitted he had been recruited for military service in Russia with promises of a P150,000 monthly salary, expedited citizenship, and mission bonuses.
Immigration authorities turned all four men over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for formal investigation and protective assistance.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado cautioned jobseekers against accepting unverified overseas employment offers, urging citizens to confirm recruitment agencies and employment contracts through the Department of Migrant Workers before traveling abroad.
