9 Pinays fly to Dubai for non-existent jobs, diverted to Iraq

Nine overseas Filipino workers have been rescued after falling victim to illegal recruiters and human traffickers.

The women are now at the Philippine Embasy in Baghdad.

According JP Soriano's report on "State of the Nation", the victims had been offered jobs in Dubai via social media.

Upon their arrival in Dubai, they discovered that there were no jobs waiting for them there and were told there were openings in Iraq.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the victims entered Iraq illegally because they did not have visas. The deployment ban to Iraq is still in effect.

"So it's either tanggapin niyo itong Iraq or, kung hindi, bayaran sila ng as high as 3,000 dollars for them to be allowed to go home," Cato said.

"They entered Iraq illegally," he added.

The embassy is finding a way for the Filipinas to get back to the Philippines.

They are currently coordinating with Philippine authorities regarding the investigation on the recruiter.

The DFA reminded the public to only apply in recruitment agencies accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

"Maging maingat yung ating mga kababayan na naghahanap ng trabaho sa ibayong dagat at magingat lalong lalo na sa mga mag-ooffer ng jobs abroad using social media," Cato said. —Jessica Bartolome/NB, GMA News