BI rescues 4 trafficking victims at NAIA


Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers have rescued four alleged human trafficking victims at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

BI Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco said the four passengers, who were supposed to be bound for Thailand, Laos, and Dubai, were intercepted at NAIA terminal 1 before boarding a Tiger Air flight to Singapore.

Three of the victims had connecting flights to Bangkok, Thailand for what they claimed seven-day sight seeing tour.

"They later admitted of being hired through Facebook ads as customer service representatives in Thailand and Laos with monthly pay of P50,000 during secondary investigation," Tansingco said.

Tansingco said the fourth victim who initially disguised herself as tourist also admitted during subsequent investigation that her final destination was Dubai to work as household helper.

The victims were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance and further investigation in identifying and prosecution of their recruiters.

The BI chief lamented the continued criminal operations of human traffickers using the social media in luring their victims.