The Bureau of Immigration warned the public against the activities of syndicates engaged in trafficking underage overseas Filipino workers following the interception of two female minors who tried to leave the country.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said immigration personnel at the international airports in Pampanga and Manila intercepted two OFWs who presented falsified travel documents to appear older and be able to work abroad.
The passengers, who both hail from the southern part of the country, were recruited to work as household helpers in Saudi Arabia.
Both were stopped from leaving by members of the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU).
Alias “Ria” was intercepted at the Clark International Airport while alias “Lea” was rescued at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
According to Morente, the victims falsified their birthdates to make it appear that they meet the age requirements for domestic helpers eligible to work in Saudi Arabia.
When interviewed, however, the two passengers had major inconsistencies to basic questions about their age and background, reinforcing suspicions they were lying about their real age.
“We commend the efforts of primary inspector officers and the TCEU officers that prevented the departure of these victims. Their vigilance again saved two of our kababayan from being victimized by unscrupulous recruiters who prey on our youth,” Morente said.
Both victims were later turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing of complaints against their recruiters.