(File photo)
MANILA – Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers have prevented three Filipino women who are alleged victims of human trafficking and are bound for Vietnam from leaving the country at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Cebu City.
In a statement Tuesday, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the victims, whose names are withheld for their protection, attempted to board a Royal Air flight to Hong Kong on Dec. 2.
He added that the women initially presented themselves on primary inspection as tourists embarking on a four-day trip to Hong Kong.
However, they later admitted to concealing their onward ticket to Vietnam, where they were set to undergo a hiring process for a company that was referred to them by an acquaintance.
The victims were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance and further investigation.
Tansingco urged aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to seek jobs abroad through the proper processes and documentation.
“It is crucial for aspiring overseas workers to undergo the right processes, secure the appropriate documents, and be cautious of schemes that exploit their vulnerability,” he said.
“Remain vigilant and always seek the help of authorized agencies, especially amid the influx of international passengers who will be vacationing during the holidays,” he added. (PNA)
