Trafficking victims instructed to use wheelchairs to avoid strict inspection

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the interception of a female trafficking victim last August 17 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

The victim, whose name was withheld in compliance with anti-trafficking laws, attempted to depart on board a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Thailand. However, she was intercepted by members of the BI’s immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-PROBES).

During secondary inspection, officers noted numerous inconsistent statements. She later admitted that she was actually recruited to work as a household service worker in Lebanon.

She admitted that her recruiter instructed her to feign sickness so she can use a wheelchair. The victim stated that she was instructed to delete all conversations with her recruiter on her mobile phone.

According to the victim, her recruiter promised her that if her Lebanon visa will not be approved, she will be shuttled to Hong Kong to look for a possible job.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco renewed his warning against illegal recruiters and human traffickers. “These traffickers will go to great lengths to convince prospective workers to leave illegally because they earn a lot from their recruitment,” said Tansingco. “But once the workers encounter distress, they will disappear,” he warned.

The victim was referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance and further investigation against her recruiter.

Classes in flood-affected areas will proceed

Despite the areas being inundated, the commencement of classes on August 29 will proceed as planned but with alternative instructional approaches, as stated by Education Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas.

In the upcoming academic year, Bringas emphasized that the primary mode of classes will be in-person, although principals and school leaders have the discretion to transition to different learning methods in case of disasters or hazardous situations.

“First and foremost, kung may mga calamities na ganyan, ang ating priority is the safety of our learners and our employees. Hindi natin pipilitin sila na kahit naka-alternative delivery mode ay mag-gawa pa rin ng mga ganyan kahit na nanganganib na ang kanilang buhay, ‘di ba? So unahin pa rin ‘yung pagiging safe patungo sa pag-conduct ng alternative delivery modes,” he said.