BI intercepts trafficking attempt of fake government employee at NAIA 1

Manila, Philippines – Authorities have foiled yet another attempted trafficking incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

This was after they intercepted a 43-year-old woman who presented a fake travel authority in order to leave the country.

The victim, whose name was withheld following anti-trafficking laws, was intercepted as she tried to board a Philippine Airlines flight bounf to Singapore.

The Bureau of Immigration’s Travel Control and Enforcement Unit said in its report that immigration officers doubted the authenticity of her travel authority document and referred her to secondary inspection.

Upon close scrutiny, it was confirmed that the said travel authority is indeed fake.

A travel authority is a document required of all government employees stating that their agency has approved their travel abroad.

The report said the victim was unsure of which municipality she worked in that further raised doubts on the circumstances of her travel.

The victim later confessed to being recruited by a friend and had been communicating to her recruiter through text messages.

Initial investigation disclosed she had paid P15,000 to her recruiter through an electronic payment app.

The recruiter required her to delete her conversations with her upon tranferring the amount.

It was also revealed that the woman received her travel documents just moments before her departure at the airport.

The victim went on to admit that her true destination was Dubai, where she intended to seek employment or await her visa for Lebanon.

She was immediately referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation and filing of charges.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, expressed concern that traffickers were seeking to elude strict immigration inspection, adding that “we remain committed to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of departing overseas workers.”