NBI arrests 'illegal recruiter' at NAIA


A suspected illegal recruiter has been arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday, Jan. 31.

The NBI identified the suspect as Jacob Jumallon Tuballa who has been subjected to inquest proceedings before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office for violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 8042, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, and RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

It said that Tuballa was among four Filipinos intercepted by immigration officers at the NAIA Terminal 1 last Jan. 20 before they could board their flight to Vietnam.

It also said the four Filipinos claimed to be tourists but immigration officers suspected them to be human trafficking victims and turned them over to the NBI International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID).

“The three (3) victims disclosed that the actual reason of their travel is to fly to Bulgaria for employment purposes,” the NBI said.  

“The victims also revealed through their Sworn Statement that their companion Subject Tuballa is the one who recruited them and facilitated their travel to Vietnam,” it also said.  

Investigation also revealed that the recruited Filipinos "will be employed as ‘Ironers’ in Bulgaria and promised one (1) of the victims that she will receive a salary of about P34,000, while the two (2) others will receive a salary of 550 to 800 Euros,” it added.

At the same time, the NBI said that "verification made by the Agents of NBI-IAID with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) revealed through certification that Subject Tuballa is not licensed/authorized by the DMW to recruit workers for overseas employment."