Immigration intercepted four victims of what is suspected to be trafficking to an offshore gaming job in Clark, arresting the trafficker in the process.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted a suspected human trafficker and rescued four Filipino victims at the Clark International Airport (CIA) on Christmas Day, preventing their departure to what authorities believe was a case of overseas labor exploitation linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO)-type operations.
The incident, first reported by GMA News, unfolded as immigration officers screened passengers boarding a flight bound for Singapore. Suspicion arose during the initial interviews with a group of individuals, prompting further investigation.
According to a statement released by the BI on Thursday, the four victims initially presented themselves as tourists traveling to Singapore. However, upon closer questioning, their story began to unravel. They eventually admitted to traveling with a 38-year-old Filipino woman who acted as their escort. The victims disclosed that they had been recruited to work as encoders in Cambodia, enticed by the promise of a monthly salary of P60,000. They described the recruiting entity as a company engaged in operations similar to those of POGOs.
Further investigation revealed that Singapore was intended to be a transit point for the victims' onward journey to Cambodia. The escort herself admitted to assisting the victims in entering Singapore with the explicit purpose of facilitating their transfer to Cambodia. This admission corroborated the victims’ accounts and solidified the suspicion of human trafficking.
The BI’s swift action prevented what could have been a case of labor exploitation and potential human trafficking. The suspect is now in custody and will face appropriate charges, while the rescued victims are receiving assistance from the BI and other relevant government agencies.
This incident at Clark International Airport is not an isolated case. Earlier this month, the BI also intercepted a 28-year-old Filipino man at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, the country’s main international gateway. This individual admitted to being recruited online for work in Laos, highlighting the increasing trend of online recruitment schemes used by human traffickers. These back-to-back incidents underscore the persistent efforts of criminal syndicates to exploit vulnerable Filipinos seeking overseas employment and the vigilance of the Bureau of Immigration in combating these illicit activities. The BI continues to strengthen its monitoring and screening procedures at all ports of entry to protect Filipino citizens from falling prey to human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
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