The Bureau of Immigration warns that human trafficking syndicates have begun their operations once again, after intercepting two Filipinas supposedly bound to Dubai.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente stated that the syndicates prey on individuals who hope to work overseas by applying for either a visit or tourist visa.
“We are warning our kababayan (countrymen) not to fall prey to the nefarious activities of these syndicates who do not feel any remorse in preying on their poor countrymen amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic,” said Morente in a statement.
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Facebook scheme
Both Filipinas were supposed to board a flight to Dubai last September 1 but were intercepted at the immigration departure area at NAIA Terminal 1.
BI Travel Control and Enforcement Unit head Ma. Timotea Barizo stated that immigration officials found out that the Overseas Employment Certificates that both Filipinas presented were fake.
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“Like other victims we previously offloaded, these women also claimed that their trip was arranged and their documents were processed by people they met on Facebook and that their papers were only given to them outside the airport before they checked-in for their flight,” said Barizo as per reports from Manila Times.
Both victims have been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking NAIA Task Force to probe further details about the incident.
