BI Foils Trafficking Attempts to HK, UAE, Japan
Four possible victims of illegal recruitment who were at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 last June 11 were barred from leaving the country, the Bureau of Immigration said over the weekend.
It said the four tried to depart for Dubai by posing as tourists but admitted during interviews they were going to work in the United Arab Emirates.
All four passengers were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation, the BI said.
Citing the results of the interviews, the immigration agency said the four were recruited by one Maricar Columbres, who facilitated their travel documents to have them work as household helpers.
The four, who initially claimed to be traveling together, do not know each other, it said.
Also, the BI said a similar case occurred June 13, when two groups of Filipinos bound for Japan and Hong Kong were intercepted at the airport.
It did not give further details but said the two groups had “questionable purpose of travel.”