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 shared 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 were Muslim pilgrims, and are 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. “These traffickers will stop at nothing to earn from their racket,” the BI Chief said. “They have even abused religion to evade immigration inspection,” he added.
Faking religion to illegally work abroad a new modus – BI
The two victims were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation and to initiate cases against their recruiter.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) thanked the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for identifying the proposed immigration modernization law as a priority measure.
Meanwhile, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco also expressed his appreciation to the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) for supporting the passing of the new law by organizing a focus group discussion (FGD) held last April 17 in Manila.
Also in attendance were representatives of at least nine Senators, to reconcile versions to expedite the bill’s approval.
Tansingco shared that he hopes that the bill will be approved on the third reading prior to the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The BI Chief thanked the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate for understanding the plight of the agency in its thrust for the passing of the new law.
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