(Contributed file photo)
MANILA – Immigration authorities foiled another human trafficking attempt which led to the rescue of a female victim and the arrest of her escort.
In a statement Monday, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, citing the report of the BI's Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES), said the victim identified as alias 'Nina' was rescued at the Davao International Airport on April 27, after attempting to board a Scoot Airlines flight to Singapore.
The victim claimed to be traveling to the Singapore as a tourist with her employer, but later admitted that she was recruited to work as a household service worker in the United Arab Emirates for an undisclosed amount.
Upon verification of records of the victim's escort, BI officers found that he has previously sponsored a trip of another woman, who failed to return the country on her declared return date.
He admitted to have previously escorted another female victim, who left for Singapore but transferred to Thailand.
The BI suspected that the man was recruiting Filipinos to work in the Middle East but left his victims stranded.
Tansingco, meanwhile, warned the public against this scheme, noting that rescue or repatriation of victims becomes a challenge when the Philippine government has no record of a worker’s whereabouts.
“These traffickers dupe victims into agreeing to such schemes, only to leave them penniless in the middle of an unfamiliar foreign country,” he added.
“Aspiring workers should never ever agree to such arrangements,” the BI chief added.
Both were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking.
The male escort would face human trafficking charges over the incident. (PNA)
