By Ferdinand Patinio

MANILA – Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers have intercepted a female trafficking victim at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
In a news release on Wednesday, the BI said the 34-year-old victim, whose identity is withheld under anti-trafficking laws, attempted to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Cyprus.
She allegedly set to undergo an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure last Jan. 14.
The bureau said the victim initially claimed to be a solo traveler on a leisure trip but was flagged after inadvertently presenting an IVF clinic invitation, which contradicted her story.
Investigation revealed that she agreed to be a surrogate for someone she met on a dating app, with a promised PHP300,000 payout after childbirth.
“The scheme continues to thrive, leading to a rise in online offers for surrogacy or IVF-related services, with victims often coerced into passing certain laboratory assessments,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
“We warn females not to be tempted to agree to such schemes as this is a clear form of trafficking.”
The victim was referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance. (PNA)