The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has raised alarm over rising cases of human trafficking using the country’s “backdoor” routes after two Filipino men who left the country through illegal channels were repatriated.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the case highlights the continued exploitation of unauthorized departure points, particularly along the country’s southern borders, by trafficking syndicates using small boats to transport victims abroad.
Viado stressed the need to intensify monitoring of these routes and strengthen enforcement through closer coordination among government agencies to boost border security and protect Filipinos from transnational crimes.
The two victims, aged 27 and 30, arrived in the Philippines before dawn on March 20 from Vientiane aboard a Philippine Airlines flight. They were reportedly recruited for supposed job opportunities abroad.
Initial investigation showed the victims left the country in 2025 through an irregular migration corridor via the waters off Zamboanga, bypassing official immigration controls.
The men said they were promised legitimate work as a waiter and a farm worker, with salaries ranging from ₱40,000 to ₱60,000 per month.
However, upon arrival in Laos, they were instead forced to work as “love scammers,” targeting foreign nationals in online romance schemes.
Authorities said the case underscores the persistent threat posed by human trafficking networks and renewed calls for vigilance against illegal recruitment and unauthorized travel.
