The intensification of airport border monitoring paid off after a suspected human trafficker was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation—International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID).
Director Jaime Santiago said the arrested suspect, identified as Priscilla Sunga Tabilog, was apprehended at NAIA, Pasay City, for violation of Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995) as amended by RA 10022; and R.A. No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) as amended by R.A. No. 11862 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022).
The case originated from a referral by the NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking - Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which endorsed three Filipinos—two victims and one subject—who were scheduled to depart for Thailand on Scoot Flight No. TR 397 for missionary activities.
They presented various documents from the Alliance of Bishops, Ministers, and Educators International Inc., which was founded by Priscilla Tabilog, who also serves as its president.
The investigation showed the two victims were pretending to be missionary volunteers with Subject Tabilog bound for Thailand. Eventually, they disclosed that they had actually been promised teaching jobs in Thailand, and Subject Tabilog had facilitated their travel.
Verification with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) revealed through certification that Subject Tabilog is not licensed or authorized to recruit workers for overseas deployment.
Subject Tabilog was placed under arrest, apprised of her constitutional rights, and presented for Online Inquest Proceedings before the appropriate authorities.
Santiago commended the agents of NBI-IAID for arresting the subject and cautioned the public to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies before applying for jobs abroad.