7 BI officers axed over departure of trafficked victims

MANILA, Philippines — Amid suspicion of aiding in the illegal departure of Filipino trafficking victims rescued in Myanmar, the Bureau of Immigration fired yesterday seven BI personnel assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the sacked personnel are being investigated as to how the victims were able to exit the country.

Thirty of the trafficked victims were repatriated on March 25 on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand after being rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation from a crime ring in Myanmar.

Viado said that despite strict security checks at the NAIA, the BI still experiences challenges in spotting trafficking victims, many of whom pose as legitimate tourists.

“Traffickers are looking for ways to evade inspection,” he said.

Viado said there is a need for a whole-of-government approach in dismantling trafficking networks, starting at the grassroots level.

The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday repatriated 176 more victims of scam hubs in Myanmar.

The government has repatriated 206 Filipino victims of scam hubs in Myanmar. Another 59 are set to return home soon.

Upon their arrival at the airport, each of the returning Filipino workers received P50,000 in financial aid from the Department of Migrant Workers and another P10,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the victims would be given psychosocial interventions and other assistance.   – With Mayen Jaymalin, Jose Rodel Clapano