The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned of a new human trafficking modus targeting Filipinos planning to work abroad as household workers.
In a report to immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, officers of the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) travel control and enforcement unit said that two females, 36 and 37 years old, were intercepted when they attempted to depart on board a Cebu Pacific flight to Dubai at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 last April 14.
The two victims claimed that they were Muslim pilgrims and were planning to travel by bus to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in Umrah.
They also claimed that they recently converted to Islam and plans to stay for 7 days in Saudi.
However, the officers noted numerous inconsistencies in their statements. The duo later admitted that their documents were fabricated, and that they were recruited via Facebook by a woman that processed their visas and tickets.
The victims shared that they were instructed to pose as Muslims to be able to depart the country.
The new scheme disappointed Tansingco, saying;. “These traffickers will stop at nothing to earn from their racket. They have even abused religion to evade immigration inspection,”
The two victims were turned over to the inter-agency council against trafficking for further investigation and to initiate cases against their recruiter.
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