17 Pinoy human trafficking victims in Malaysia repatriated to PH — BI

Seventeen Filipinos who fell victim to human trafficking in Malaysia have safely returned to the country, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

The group, who arrived in the country in three batches, left Malaysia on board MV Antonia. They were repatriated to the Philippines on October 25.

Immigration authorities said the victims admitted to exiting the country through a “backdoor” route or an illegal migration corridor in Jolo, Sulu.

“The backdoor remains a dangerous corridor for illegal migration and human trafficking,” BI Commissioner Joel Viado said in a statement Wednesday.

“We call for stronger coordination among law enforcement agencies, local government units, and communities in the region to tighten security and prevent further abuse of our kababayan,” Viado said.

According to the BI, among the 17 victims was a family of four, who left the country in 2023 and entered Malaysia through the illicit passage via speedboat.

An illegal recruiter allegedly offered the father a job as a plantation farmer in a palm oil company with a monthly salary of 2,000 Malaysian Ringgit. His family members later followed him, but they sought help from the Philippine authorities after suffering from abuse from their employer.

Meanwhile, six more deportees said they used the backdoor exit to work for the plantation company. They were also asked to pay 1,700 Malaysian Ringgit each to use the irregular route. Four other deportees also reported using the illegal route in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The repatriated victims are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for assistance and debriefing.

In March, the BI raised an alarm over the alleged increasing number of Filipino trafficking victims illegally departing the country through backdoor routes. — Sundy Locus/RSJ, GMA Integrated News