27 Vietnamese nat’ls repatriated
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) said 27 Vietnamese nationals who were victims of human trafficking were repatriated on Tuesday.
Based on the report to the BI, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA-TFAT) referred the victims to the IACAT-Tahanan ng Inyong Pag-asa Center, following their interception at NAIA Terminal 2 last Oct. 31.
According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the victims were accompanied by one Chinese handler, two Filipino drivers, and a Filipino translator. The traffickers had reportedly intended to sell the victims to a company based in Cebu City.
Of the 27 victims, 21 departed for Hanoi via a Cebu Pacific flight, while the remaining six departed for Ho Chi Minh City via a Philippine Airlines flight.
In response to this incident, the BI has canceled the working visas of the victims involved.
Tansingco then expressed his dismay towards foreign nationals who exploit the Philippines as a hub for their trafficking activities.
“We will not be a haven for those seeking to perpetuate such criminal acts,” he said. “The BI stands firm in its commitment to dismantle trafficking networks and safeguard the welfare of those vulnerable individuals,” the BI Chief added.
