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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Couple arrested at NAIA; charged with human trafficking

Couple arrested at NAIA; charged with human trafficking

Published Apr 18, 2024 06:44 am

A man and his wife have been charged with human trafficking for attempting to send three Filipinas to Dubai, United Arab Emirates last April 8.

The couple, whose names were withheld by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), were arrested while escorting their three "victims" at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement, IACAT -- led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) -- said the spouses were charged with violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 8042, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995; and RA No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003; and estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

“Kasalukuyang nasa kustodiya na ng NBI Detention Center ang mag-asawang suspek (The couple are now in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation's Detention Center,” the IACAT said.

“Upang mabigyan ng kaukulang tulong ang mga biktima mula sa insidente, inendorso naman sila sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (In order to provide the proper assistance, the victims have been endorsed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development),” it added.

The IACAT said the couple were intercepted by Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers while escorting the three Filipinas to their flight to Dubai.

During investigation conducted by the NBI’s International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID), the IACAT said “napag-alamang nakita ng mga biktima ang alok na trabaho ng mag-asawa mula sa isang Facebook post (it was learned that the victims saw on Facebook the job offers posted by the couple).”

“Dahil sa mataas na sweldo na nagkakahalagang P23,000 to P26,000, ninais nilang mag-apply bilang taga-linis ng bahay at taga-alaga (Because of the high salary which ranges from P23,000 to P26,000, the women sought to apply as household helpers),” the IACAT said.

It said investigators also found that the victims also paid a total of P90,000 to the couple to process their job application.

After paying the amount, the three Filipinas recounted that they underwent a briefing in Baguio City on how to pass immigration inspection, it also said.

They were also told that they will be accompanied by the couple to Malaysia so that they have no problems during their travel, it added.

“Sa karagdagang pagsisiyasat, kinompirma Department of Migrant Workers na hindi awtorisado o lisensyado na mag-recruit ng mga manggagawa para sa trabaho sa ibang bansa ang mga suspek (It was also confirmed by the Department of Migrant Workers that the couple are not authorized or licensed to recruit persons to work abroad),” it stressed.

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