2 Pinay trafficking victims intercepted at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipino women almost became new additions to human trafficking statistics overseas.

Disguised as tourists, the women attempted to leave the country, but they were flagged and intercepted by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Jan. 27.

They were supposed to work illegally as hotel cleaners in Malaysia.

According to BI Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section chief Mary Jane Hizon, the victims admitted that they were recruited by a woman they identified only as “Madame.”

The recruiter told them to work as tourists while they were applying for work visas in Malaysia, the BI said.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the scheme is often used by recruiters who trick Filipinos to agree to such set-ups.

 In the scheme, workers are made to work under a tourist visa, but end up unable to secure visas.

Viado warned aspiring overseas workers not to fall prey to such schemes.

The trafficking victims were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for investigation and the filing of cases against their recruiter.