A 25-year-old man was prevented from leaving the Philippines by immigration authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for using fake documents. The man was attempting to board a flight to Macau.
This individual, whose identity is withheld in line with anti-trafficking regulations, claimed to visit his alleged wife, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) residing in Macau. To support his narrative, he presented a marriage certificate from which immigration officers sensed that the document was a counterfeit.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco voiced his concerns, suggesting that the individual might have fallen victim to illegal recruitment for overseas employment, given the concocted tale and the fraudulent document.
“We suspect he might be traveling after being illegally recruited to work abroad, hence the story and the fake document,” said Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
Upon further questioning, the man then confessed to procuring the bogus certificate from a Facebook seller for P1,500.
Tansingco again warned aspiring OFWs, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid working with illegal schemes promising lucrative overseas employment. He emphasized that even amidst the holiday cheer and festivities, the vigilance of immigration officers remains unwavering.
“Despite the holiday season and the festive mood, our officers are not letting their guard down,” warned Tansingco.
The case has been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation and to provide necessary assistance.
This incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by immigration authorities in combating human trafficking and illegal recruitment, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and stringent measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals from exploitations.
Source: Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines