BI agents intercept three potential trafficking victims

Immigration officers rescued three women at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 after intercepting them on suspicion of being targeted by human trafficking syndicates, officials reported Friday.

The Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Unit stopped the passengers on 25 September at the departure area as they attempted to board an international flight using fraudulent travel documents.

According to I-Probes, the women initially claimed to be tourists traveling to Vietnam. However, secondary inspection revealed they held E-class Cambodian visas for Phnom Penh.

Immigration officers noted significant inconsistencies regarding their declared travel itinerary, length of stay, and financial documents.

A detailed inspection uncovered altered supporting documents, including forged bank statements, certificates of employment, and business registration records.

Investigating officers suspect the women were recruited to work in illegal online scam operations in Cambodia, a known hub for trafficking networks that exploit foreign workers under abusive conditions.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued a warning to jobseekers to avoid unauthorized foreign recruiters offering lucrative overseas positions without valid government clearances.

“Do not be easily lured by promises of high-paying jobs abroad, especially when the circumstances surrounding the offer are unclear,” Viado said.

“There is a risk that you could end up like other Filipinos who have fallen victim to trafficking syndicates and suffered abusive working conditions,” he added.

The three passengers were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for protective custody, case profiling, and legal proceedings against their local recruiters.