BI saves ‘sick’ trafficking victim
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 onboard a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Thailand.
However, members of the BI’s immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-PROBES) intercepted the woman.
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 also admitted 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 again appealed to the public against illegal recruiters and human traffickers.
