June 1, 2023 | 8:09 pm
TWO women victims of a human trafficking scheme, wherein they were instructed to pose as seafarers but were bound to work as call center agents in Laos, were recently intercepted by authorities at the Clark International Airport, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Thursday
“The women initially claimed they were sea-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) recruited to work in Thailand, and presented spurious documents to mislead immigration officers,” the BI said in a statement.
The immigration bureau earlier said there was an increase in Filipinos being trafficked to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, who were forced to work as call center agents for online scam operations.
“The modus operandi here is for the victims to initially fly to Thailand where they would then board their connecting flight to Laos,” Immigration Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco said.
The victims were turned over to the country’s council against trafficking, which will provide legal assistance to pursue lawsuits against the recruiters.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last month ordered the anti-trafficking council to thwart the “business of human trafficking” with the private sector.
He cited the need to maintain the Philippines’ Tier 1 status, which means the country fully complies with minimum standards against trafficking.
The United States Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Office conducts a yearly assessment to monitor the efforts of all countries in fighting human trafficking. It provides each country with a grade according to a three-tier scale.
In the first two months of the year, 57 departures from the country’s international airports were tagged as possible cases of human trafficking, based on BI data. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
May –
Anti-Graft and Corruption Awareness Month
“Corruption drains the nation
and victimizes workers who build the nation.
Accountability now!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
May 1 – Labor Day
May 2 – World Freedom Day
May 12 – World Communication Day
May 15 – International Day of Families
May 16 – International Day of Living
Together in Peace
May 21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity
for Dialogue and Development
Monthly Observances:
The Month of the Ocean
Anti-Graft and Corruption Awareness Month
Volunteerism Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Safe Motherhood Week
Daily Observances:
May 1: Labor Day
May 7: Health Worker’s Day
May 31: National Fisherfolks Day
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