BI rescues 4 human trafficking victims
MANILA, Philippines — Four suspected victims of human trafficking were rescued at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, according to the Bureau of Immigration.
The BI said the four, aged 28, 31, 35 and 43, claimed to be officemates traveling to Hong Kong for a vacation.
However, inconsistencies in their statements prompted immigration officers to refer them for secondary inspection where they admitted that a travel agent provided them with the fake documents.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said three of the four used to illegally work as entertainers abroad.
One also admitted to traveling illegally through a small boat via southern Philippines to evade immigration procedures.
“We suspect that they are being sent to work as entertainers abroad. They admitted paying P 30,000 to their travel agency who provided fraudulent stories and documents for them,” Viado said.
“Tourist workers are tricked by their recruiters to present fraudulent documents or travel via illegal means just to be exploited abroad,” he added.
- Latest
- Trending
