A Filipina trafficking victim who gave birth while detained in Malaysia arrived in the Philippines last week with her month-old baby, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported.
The 33-year-old mother, a resident of North Cotabato, arrived last Friday aboard MV Antonia 1 with her child, who was born on 18 October. Both the mother and child were immediately turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Initial reports indicate the woman was illegally recruited to work at a palm oil plantation. She was transported along an illegal route from Zamboanga to Sandakan via Jolo, a four-day journey with eight other migrants.
Upon arrival in Sandakan, the group was allegedly instructed to jump into the water near the port to evade Malaysian authorities before being taken to an oil plantation in Lahad Datu.
The BI disclosed that upon arrival at the plantation, “each victim was required to pay 1,700 Malaysian Ringgit for their travel.” The woman’s husband, who had been trafficked separately, was deported to the Philippines in October.
The BI reiterated its warning to the public against accepting unverified job offers abroad.