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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI vows to prosecute its personnel involved in trafficking Filipinos to Cambodia

BI vows to prosecute its personnel involved in trafficking Filipinos to Cambodia

Published Jul 15, 2025 03:18 pm
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday, July 15, vowed to prosecute its personnel who are reportedly involved in the trafficking of Filipinos to work as scammers in Cambodia.
“We are investigating all leads, including internal lapses, and will not hesitate to file charges against any personnel found to be complicit to this crime,” declared BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado in a statement.
Viado’s assurance was issued following the repatriation of four Filipinos who returned to the Philippines last June 12 after experiencing being online scammers in Cambodia.
He described human trafficking as one of the most insidious crimes affecting Filipinos. He said the victims are stripped of their rights and dignity.
Thus, he assured that the BI will not stop in its efforts to identify and dismantle the networks responsible for the abuses.
Viado disclosed that the BI learned from the four repatriated Filipinos that they were enticed through online job offers with high salaries in Thailand.
However, upon their arrival in Thailand they were diverted to Cambodia where they were forced to work in fraudulent online activities such as love scams and phishing operations targeting foreign nationals, he said.
Worse, one of the victims experienced maltreatment, long working hours, and months without pay, he added.
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