16 OFWs barred from leaving

MANILA, Philippines - Operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Zamboanga port recently barred 16 undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Malaysia from leaving the country.

BI-Zamboanga alien control officer Sitti Rubiana Lutian said their officers twice foiled attempts by human trafficking syndicates to use the Zamboanga port as exit point to Malaysia.

In a report to Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, Lutian said 12 of the passengers arrived at the Zamboanga airport last Feb. 22 while four others arrived last Feb. 25 aboard separate flights from Manila.

The passengers proceeded to the Zamboanga seaport and attempted to board the ship M/V Danica Joy 2 bound for Sandakan, Sabah when they were off-loaded, Lutian said.

Lutian said the 16 OFWs hail from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Pangasinan. – Helen Flores