Human trafficking victims bound for Bangkok apprehended

Officials from the Bureau of Immigration at Clark International Airport apprehended two travellers bound for Bangkok, Thailand after learning they were victims of human trafficking.

The individuals initially presented themselves as tourists travelling in a group via a Cebu Pacific flight.

"The passengers gave inconsistent statements and were thus referred for secondary inspection by our alert immigration officers," BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

After further investigation, it was discovered that the two had valid tourist visas for Dubai and had been promised employment in the United Arab Emirates without proper documentation by the Department of Migrant Workers.

According to Tansingco, "This interception underscores the dangers of leaving the country undocumented and falling victim to human trafficking schemes. These individuals were lured with false promises of employment, only to find themselves at the mercy of traffickers with no legal protections."

One of the travellers said she really intended to work as a cashier in Dubai, where she was promised a salary of P22,000 pesos per month, with her travel expenses covered by her earnings.

The other passenger was supposed to work as a babysitter for her recruiter.

Tansingco also emphasised the importance of legal channels for overseas employment.

"Leaving the country without proper documentation and falling into the hands of traffickers can lead to exploitation, abuse and a life of uncertainty. We urge all citizens to follow legal processes, ensuring their safety and protection abroad."

Both victims were immediately turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation.