Four Dubai-bound Filipinas have been rescued by Immigration officials for being suspected as victims of illegal recruitment at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
In a report to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said that the passengers were intercepted from a Dubai-bound special flight last February 8 for misrepresenting the purpose of their travel.
“They claimed they were traveling as tourists, but when interviewed, they gave highly inconsistent answers to questions regarding their travel itinerary, and were even found to have lied about their jobs here,” Manahan said in a statement.
The women were supposed to be accompanied in their trip by two Chinese nationals believed to be responsible in arranging the passengers’ employment in Dubai.
“The women allegedly claimed during the interview that they are employed as sales representatives of a computer store in Manila but could not present proof of their local employment,” they said in a statement.
One of them later on confessed they work as housekeepers for a Chinese businessman in Manila and that they were allegedly invited by their boss to visit and tour Dubai, all at the latter’s expense.
“But when asked about their alleged boss, they could not even mention the name or other basic details,” said Manahan. “The passengers were then advised that if they intend to work abroad, they have to secure the appropriate overseas work permits,” Manahan added.
“It was also highly peculiar that they attempted to leave via a special flight. Their recruiters might have thought that there would be less inspection as compared to those flying commercial,” he added.
Morente issued a statement to aspiring overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) not to fall to modus operandi of illegal recruiters.
“Illegal recruiters are out to entice our kababayan to work abroad without proper documentation. We are mandated to protect our countrymen from possible harm if they work abroad without proper documents,” Morente said.
