BI stops second attempt of trafficking victim to fly to Amsterdam
By Jun Ramirez and Jun Ramirez
Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have intercepted a victim of human trafficking who was attempting to travel to the Amsterdam, Netherlands using counterfeit travel documents she purchased for P148,000.
BI officers noticed that this was the second time the 49-year-old woman had tried to travel to the European country.
During a secondary inspection, the victim claimed to be a businesswoman on vacation to Amsterdam and presented various business-related papers to support her story.
However, further investigation revealed that the victim had actually been recruited as a domestic worker through Facebook.
She admitted to paying P148,000 to a relative who arranged her tickets and provided her with fraudulent documents falsely stating that she was a businesswoman.
The trafficking in persons and counter-exploitation unit (TCEU) promptly handed over the victim to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, where she will receive the necessary assistance.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant in detecting human trafficking cases.
He highlighted the crucial role played by immigration officers in preventing these illegal activities at airports, stating that their dedication and thoroughness in identifying potential victims are essential in the fight against human trafficking.