The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has prevented from leaving three prospective Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) believed to be victims of a human trafficking syndicate.
In another preemptive move, the bureau also denied the entry of two foreign-registered sex offenders (RSO) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the three Filipino passengers were denied departure at the country’s premier airport as they were about to leave for the Middle East.
“Members of the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) decided to offload the passengers from their flights after they admitted the real purpose of the travel during secondary inspection,” Tansingco said.
“They all initially alleged they were traveling as tourists and one of them even pretended to be a nanny for the 16-year-old boy who is her supposed companion in her trip,” the BI chief added.
The drama however, easily collapsed as the purported nanny later confessed that she was not a tourist, but would be traveling to Syria to work as a domestic helper.
Another passenger claimed she was going for a vacation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but later admitted she was going to Lebanon where she had previously worked as a household help.
The third passenger presented a fake Saudi Arabian, visa but eventually surrendered her United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa, and divulged she was going to Dubai to work as a maid.
The three rejected passengers were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for investigation
Meanwhile, BI agents denied the entry for two registered sex offenders (RSO) who were deemed a threat to public morals.
They were identified as Donell English and Brandon Todd Killen, both American nationals, were found to have criminal records as sex offenders.
“Sex offenders pose a significant risk to society, and the Bureau remains steadfast in its efforts to prevent their entry into the country,” the BI said.
A total of 75 RSOs were prevented from entering the country from January to May this year. This sends a clear message that the Philippines is committed to upholding its values, safeguarding public morals, and protecting its citizens from potential threats.