By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Another batch of Filipino trafficking victims was repatriated a year after their illegal departure through “backdoor” exit routes.
In a statement Tuesday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said there is a need to intensify monitoring of known illegal departure points, particularly along the country’s southern borders.
He said these routes continue to be exploited by trafficking syndicates using small boats to transport victims abroad.
Two trafficking victims — males aged 27 and 30 — arrived in the country at dawn on March 20 from Vientiane, Laos aboard a Philippine Airlines flight, after being recruited for supposed labor opportunities abroad.
Initial investigation showed that the victims departed the Philippines in 2025 through an irregular migration corridor via the waters of Zamboanga, evading official immigration controls. Both disclosed that they were recruited with promises of legitimate employment abroad, particularly as a waiter and a farm worker, with an expected monthly salary ranging from PHP40,000 to PHP60,000.
Upon arrival in Laos, however, they were forced to work as “love scammers,” targeting foreign nationals in online romance schemes.
Viado said the bureau received several identity verification requests in the past year about individuals found attempting to illegally cross the borders.
“We commit to provide information on illegal routes that victims might have taken, to allow the local government units and law enforcement agencies to conduct tightening of security in emerging hotspots,” Viado said. (PNA)
