The Bureau of Immigration recently rescued three individuals who were likely being exploited after a suspected human trafficker was stopped from leaving the country at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

According to a Bureau of Immigration release, the three potential victims were reportedly headed to Malta after each of them paid an illegal recruiter P310,000 for supposed placement fees and travel costs.

The three, along with the suspected trafficker, were stopped by the Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (TCEU) after suspicions were raised surrounding their intentions for travel.

They were eventually turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for an investigation.

“Illegal recruiters be warned,” said Immigrations Commissioner Jaime Morente. “We are committed in pursuing criminal cases against you.”

Last month, the Malay Municipal Police Station, 2nd Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Aklan Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force conducted operations resulting in the rescue of 33 women who were being forced into prostitution at Sitio Tulubhana, a community located within Barangay Manoc-Manoc at popular tourist destination Boracay.

According to a release by Police Regional Office-6 spokesperson, Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, the victims were reportedly being exploited at two rented spaces and a former karaoke bar.

The suspects were caught in an entrapment operation where a “poseur customer” attempted to solicit prostitution services, wherein the suspects were in charge of arranging transactions./WDJ