At least 27 Vietnamese nationals who were victims of a human trafficking syndicate were sent back to their country after they were rescued by government operatives in Cebu City.
Based on the report to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA-TFAT) referred the victims to the IACAT-Tahanan ng Inyong Pag-asa Center, following their interception at NAIA Terminal 2 two months ago.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the victims were accompanied by one Chinese handler, two Filipino drivers, and one Filipino translator. The traffickers had reportedly intended to sell the victims to a company based in Cebu City.
Of the 27 victims, 21 departed for Hanoi via a Cebu Pacific flight, while the remaining 6 departed for Ho Chi Minh City via a Philippine Airlines flight.
Tansingco said the bureau has canceled the working visas of the victims involved.
The BI chief expressed dismay towards foreign nationals who exploit the Philippines as a hub for their trafficking activities.
“We will not be a haven for those seeking to perpetuate such criminal acts,” he said.
“The BI stands firm in its commitment to dismantle trafficking networks and safeguard the welfare of those vulnerable individuals,” the BI Chief added.
Seven more Vietnamese nationals remain in the country awaiting their repatriation. Vito Barcelo
