Bureau of Immigration (BI) inspectors at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga have intercepted four teenagers attempting to leave the country and work as domestic helpers in Qatar.
BI travel control enforcement officers disallowed them from boarding board the Qatar Airways flight after after noting their young look and inconsistent statement about the purpose of the trip.
The age requirement for Filipino household service workers in the Middle East is 24.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said it is a common practice among human trafficking syndicates to provide their victims with fake travel documents reflecting the age requirement.
The victims were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance and filing of criminal charges against their recruiters.