The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has relieved seven personnel for allegedly aiding the illegal departure of rescued human trafficking victims, who were being trafficked to Myanmar and involved in online scamming activities.
According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the seven individuals, assigned at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3, are under investigation.
"If found to have assisted the victims, the said employees will face cases before the Department of Justice," the BI stated.
Viado explained that their removal is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to combat corruption and strengthen border security.
The victims were rescued by the Philippine government and arrived in Manila on March 25, aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand.
Meanwhile, Viado recognized the difficulty of spotting trafficking victims at airports, especially those from wealthy backgrounds who tend to pose as legitimate tourists.
"He said syndicates have adapted by recruiting individuals with clean travel records, making it harder for immigration officers to detect potential victims," BI said.
In 2024, the government, with the help of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), has rescued 1,093 human trafficking victims.
Viado highlighted the importance of a whole-of-government approach to dismantle trafficking networks from the grassroots level. He also warned that trafficking syndicates continue to exploit backdoor routes to bypass stricter immigration controls.
Earlier this month, the BI reported the repatriation of three trafficking victims from Cambodia. These victims had been forced to work in a scam hub and were smuggled out via small boats from Jolo, Sulu to Sabah, Malaysia.
Investigations revealed they had no official departure record and their passports were later stamped with fake departure marks before traveling to Cambodia through Malaysia and Thailand.
Viado emphasized that the BI is strengthening border security but stressed that tackling trafficking requires cooperation among agencies.
"Traffickers are looking for ways to evade inspection,” Viado said. “Whether it be a corrupt individual or areas that are vulnerable for illegal travel, these syndicates exploit every possible loophole to smuggle victims out undetected. This is why continuous vigilance, stronger enforcement, and interagency cooperation are crucial in stopping these crimes," the BI Commisioner stated.
