by Rudy Santos (The Philippine Star), 25 Mar 2021
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday it has launched an investigation into allegations that some of its officers were involved in the trafficking of 44 women to work in Syria.
A Senate inquiry into the human trafficking scheme has been told that women using tourist visas traveled from the Philippines to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where they had been promised work.
They were “locked up inside a dark and dirty dormitory and were made to sleep on the floor,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who is spearheading the inquiry, said previously.
After their 30-day visas expired, the women were forced to go to Damascus, where they were sold to employers for as much as $10,000.
“Our immigration officers seem to be sending our women into slavery,” Hontiveros said last week.
Dozens fled to the Philippine embassy in the Syrian capital “due to harsh working conditions,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said last month.
The DFA has repatriated at least six of the undocumented workers after securing exit visas for them.
“I am disappointed and frustrated about the alleged involvement of BI personnel in these nefarious activities,” BI chief Jaime Morente told the Senate inquiry, according to a statement released yesterday.
At least 28 immigration officers were under investigation over their alleged involvement in the scheme, he said.
“As already proven in the past, we will not hesitate to make them face the harshest penalties,” Morente said. – AFP
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against
Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
