BI warns OFW vs. human trafficking

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it will continue its intensified campaign against human trafficking, and illegal recruitment despite social media bashings it has received online.

“I have instructed our officers to keep doing their duties with dignity and patriotism.  Social media ridicule will not deter us from performing our mandate to combat human trafficking in our ports,” said Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco in a statement.

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Tansingco vowed, “There will be no letup in our campaign so long as these traffickers and illegal recruiters continue to prey on our countrymen, who are sent to work abroad without proper documents and protection from the government.”

According to the BI Chief, it appears that the syndicates themselves are behind a smear campaign against the Bureau, in the mistaken belief that it will prompt the Bureau to relax and lie low in its campaign against trafficking.

His office has received reports of passengers being unruly during inspection, making it difficult for the officers to conduct their work.

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“Our officers are reminded to conduct their work professionally,” said Tansingco. “We request that the traveling public likewise return the respect towards our uniformed personnel,” he added.

Tansingco earlier reminded officers to remain steadfast in their duties despite various issues encountered in the past weeks.

“I have asked them to stay focused on their jobs, because what we are doing is to protect our countrymen from being subjected to abuse and maltreatment in foreign lands,” he said.  “Kung may kasalanan ka, unang-una ako sa magkakaso sayo. Pero kung wala kang kasalanan, ipaglalaban kita,” he stated.

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BI warns OFW vs. human trafficking

Relatedly, the BI reported foiling another attempt at human trafficking with the interception of three Filipino departing passengers believed to be illegally recruited to Dubai through Hong Kong.

The human trafficking victims, whose names were withheld for their protection, attempted to leave the country last April 11 via a Cathay Pacific flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

The passengers initially posed as tourists bound for Hong Kong but eventually admitted to being recruited as household service workers (HSWs) in Dubai.

“The passengers presented certificates of local employment at a law firm, so as to intimidate and trick the immigration into thinking that they will be travelling for tourism purposes. They later confessed, that a certain Helen promised them jobs as HSWs in Dubai to receive a salary of AED1600,” said Tansingco.

The victims further shared that they were supposed to stay in Hong Kong while they wait for their visa to the United Arab Emirates.

Tansingco then reiterated previous reminders not to fall prey to illegal recruiters and human traffickers.

“Walang maloloko kung walang magpapaloko,” said Tansingco.  “There are already a ton of information available about the modus operandi of these syndicates.  Do not be the next victim,” he warned.

The passengers were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing cases against their recruiters.

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