Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente expressed his concern over reports of the resurgence of a modus operandi recruiting minors to work as household service workers (HSW) abroad.
The BI chief expressed his dismay following reports that syndicates were actively recruiting young women and providing them with fake documents to work abroad.
Morente issued the statement after a distressed worker identified only as “Marie” was able to secure a passport and other documents indicating that she was 23 years old, despite being only 17. Marie was repatriated after working in Saudi Arabia for two years.
“This is a cause for concern for the Bureau. Intercepting them is quite a challenge, as these victims are given original passports and work clearances to make them older than they really are,” he said.
Morente cited an incident in 2018 where the BI intercepted a total of 181 minors and underage OFWs.
“Many of them were recruited from Mindanao to work in Middle Eastern countries,” he said.
Morente said last week Immigration Officers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 intercepted a Filipina bound for Saudi Arabia holding a valid passport, overseas employment certificate, and a valid working visa.
The victim claimed she was 23 years old, as indicated in her passport and other documents. However, the officer doubted her statement and referred her for secondary inspection.
“Upon secondary inspection, she admitted that she is not yet 23 years old,” BI Port Operations chief Grifton Medina said.
The victim was immediately turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation and assistance.
Morente assured that the BI, a member of the IACAT, is active in the fight against trafficking, adding “we are doing our part in ensuring that our kababayans will not be victimized by this syndicate.”
