The Bureau of Immigration intercepted 15 young women who were believed to be victims of a human trafficking syndicate when they passed themselves as adults to leave the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for the Middle East countries.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the teenagers were intercepted on three separate occasions by BI personnel at the Naia 1 and 2 terminals as they were about to board their flights to the Middle East.
Because of the failed human smuggling try, Morente warned the public of a modus operandi of human traffickers sending young women to work abroad.
According to Deputy Commissioner Marc Red Mariñas, three minors were stopped at the Naia 3 who tried to board their flight to Jeddah to work as household service workers.
He said another 10 young women were intercepted at Naia 2 as they attempted to leave via three separate flights for Saudi Arabia.
Two more passengers were stopped at the Naia 3 before they could board their flight to Dubai. Their identities are withheld following current anti-trafficking laws.