Immigration personnel involved in human trafficking?

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has passed a resolution urging Justice Secretary Ricardo Blancaflor, head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Human Trafficking, to conduct a nationwide continuous monitoring and investigation of the possible involvement of immigration personnel in human trafficking operations.

The PB resolution cited the recent order of Blancaflor to investigate and recall 15 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration for allegedly being involved, and in collusion with a human trafficking syndicate that had  illegally sent for the past several years domestic helpers and prostitutes to Malaysia.

The resolution also quoted newspaper reports that the Bureau of Immigration personnel themselves serve as escorts to these Overseas Filipino Workers bound for Malaysia where they end up being sold to brothels.

With these reports, members of the Provincial Board believe there is need to look into the possible involvement of the immigration personnel.

The PB said Republic Act 9208, also known as Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, punishes persons or individuals involved in the recruitment and transport of persons for the purpose of prostitution, pornography, sexual exploitation, forced labor and slavery. — Jose P. Sollano/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)