Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco expressed elation over the Senate reports indicting that the bureau's campaign against human trafficking is gaining ground.
During a Senate hearing, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Eduardo de Vega said that Philippine Embassies and consulates are reporting fewer number of overseas Filipino workers are complaining and seeking help to return home.
“There are less Filipinos going abroad and being fooled, so I hope this means that all those online offers are not here anymore, or hindi na pinapaniwalaan,” he added.
Tansingco said that this implies that the efforts of the BI and other government agencies under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) are working.
“Our officers are sometimes disheartened to hear negative comments about what we do. But hearing this means what we are good and less Filipinos are abused abroad,” he added.
Tansingco said that online recruitment racket is based mostly in residential areas in Metro Manila.
He said that while the issue is primarily the problem of local governments, there is an immigration aspect to it given the visa status and activities of the foreign nationals.
“We will be coordinating with the office of Senator Hontiveros in locating these scam hubs,” said Tansingco, adding that immigration operatives are conducting investigation on his report.
He suggested a unified efforts between the national and local governments in curbing the menace.
“In the next Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking meeting we will be suggesting that each agency have a specific, active role in the handling of trafficking cases,” said Tansingco.