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,” said Tansingco. “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.
BI to tighten police presence in airports to prevent trafficking
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.
Tansingco also warned illegal recruiters to stop the practice of enticing their victims to present visas for tourism when their actual purpose is for employment.
The warning came after the BI intercepted cases of human trafficking at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) wherein victims were made to pose as tourists bound for Singapore.
Tansingco shared that a 19-year-old female victim was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 1 last July 16. The victim presented herself as an employee of a local company in the Philippines. It was later found that she was recruited via social media to work in dubai for a club resort.
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