Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco called on local law enforcement agencies to tighten security around the country’s efforts to fight human trafficking.
Tansingco made the call after noticing that many trafficking victims recount how their documents are handed to them in establishments within the airport complex.
“Hindi na dapat sila umaabot dito. Bago makarating ng airport ang biktima, ang dami nang pinagdadaanan. Recruited via social media, magbabayaran via wire transfer, tapos mag-aabutan ng pekeng dokumento sa labas ng airport. We all have to open our eyes because it’s happening right under our noses,” he added.
The BI Chief suggested strengthening undercover police presence around the airport premises to detect traffickers who frequent the area.
“Iisa ang modus, paulit-ulit lang naman, at sa iisang lugar din sila nagkikita,” said Tansingco. “To stop trafficking, you have to yank it from its roots and stomp on it hard,” he added.
The agency earlier reported intercepting a female victim last July 17 after being recruited to work in Dubai. The victim pretended to be a tourist bound for Singapore. Her fraudulent documents were given to her right outside Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
He shared that they have already alerted the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) against the modus, with the latter committing to file cases against the recruiters.
“Fighting trafficking needs a whole-of-government approach,” said Tansingco. “It’s a tiring and thankless job, and I think it’s necessary for everyone to step up and elevate our game against these syndicates,” he added.
