5 alleged human trafficking victims rescued in Cebu airport — Immigration

Bureau of Immigration personnel were able to intercept five alleged human trafficking victims who were on their way to Armenia at the Mactan-Cebu Airport over the weekend.

According to a statement released by the Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday, the victims intended to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Thailand on Saturday for what they declared was a vacation allegedly sponsored by a friend and a sibling of a traveler.

From there, the victims would be taking a flight bound for the United Arab Emirates.

Due to inconsistencies with their statements, the officers held an investigation which led to the victims confessing to their true intentions during the second inspection.

According to the BI, victims flying out to a different country before heading to their final destination is a very common scheme for human trafficking.

“This is a recurring scheme that uses visa-free countries as a jump-off point to other destinations. We urge aspiring overseas workers not to accept such offers and report attempts of illegal recruitment to local authorities,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

The victims have now been referred to the MCIA Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing charges against their recruiters. — Jiselle Casucian/RSJ, GMA Integrated News