SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go conveyed his distress over the recent human trafficking scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that was revealed after the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) anonymously received a report on suspicious activity involving a private aircraft with tail no. N9527E last February 13.

“Nakakabahala po ito at kinokondena po natin itong panibagong kaso na naman po ng human trafficking gamit po ng private jets. It appears po sa mga report na mayroong foreign nationals na pasahero, kung ginagamit lang nila ang ating paliparan bilang transit or exit point sa smuggled people,” stressed Go during an ambush interview after he personally led a relief activity in Quezon City on February 17.

“Kailangang tuldukan po ito, silipin po ito nang mabuti, dahil posibleng mayroong national security dimension din po ang kasong ito,” he urged.

The incident is expected to be investigated soon by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

Based on reports, only six passengers have been declared but a total of 14 passengers boarded the aircraft, which was operated by one Cloud Nine No. 1 Leasing Company Ltd., a Hong Kong registered leasing company and its assigned aircraft ground handler is a local company called Globan Aviation Service Corporation or GLOBAN.

The PNP-ASG called the control tower to hold the departure of the aircraft but were told it was impossible because its flight navigation clearance was already approved.

“Ia-assign na po ito sa Blue Ribbon Committee and with the Committee on Public Order at (Committee on) Public Services naman po ang magsusuporta. I will participate bilang Vice Chair po ng Blue Ribbon Committee sa Senado… at pananagutin po natin kung mayroon pong iligal na nangyari na nakalusot, sino po ‘yung may kapabayaan, sino ang nagpalusot,” reassured Go.

“Dapat po walang makalusot at dapat sumunod sila sa ating batas. Kung mayroong human trafficking, pananagutin po ang dapat pananagutin. Hindi lang po pasagutin sa hearing kung hindi kasuhan kung sino ang mayro’ng ilegal na ginagawa,” he underscored.

Go has been advocating for stronger measures against human trafficking to protect Filipinos, including our migrant workers, from exploitation.

To better protect migrant workers, Go authored and co-sponsored the Senate version of Republic Act 11641 which created the Department of Migrant Workers.

It is the consolidated version of an earlier measure he filed which sought to create the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of key government services.

The Act streamlines the organization and functions of all government agencies related to overseas employment and migration through the creation of the DMW.

The DMW operates as a one-stop shop for both documented and undocumented OFWs, rendering government services from pre-employment to employment and reintegration. Furthermore, the DMW is also mandated to regulate private recruitment agencies.

DMW will work alongside the Department of Justice and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking to investigate, pursue and help prosecute illegal recruitment and human trafficking cases.

Senator Go also co-authored RA 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act which gives law enforcers additional capabilities to pursue human traffickers, especially when the violations entail Internet and digital media use.