Human trafficking victims intercepted at Kalibo airport

Organized criminal groups are using Kalibo International Airport as exit point for their trafficked victims or illegally recruited workers / PHOTO BY BOY RYAN ZABAL

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Two human trafficking victims were intercepted by alert immigration authorities at Kalibo International Airport (KIA) on Monday afternoon.

Associate Provincial Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales said the two women were bound to Dubai via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when immigration officers stopped them at around 4 p.m. for having fake immigration departure stamps. 

One of the victims was offloaded from Malaysia-bound flight by the immigration officers when she tried to leave out of the country for having tampered travel document.

A woman from Davao City admitted that she did not undergo the standard immigration pre-departure procedures as her passport was already been stamped before she boarded the commercial flight to Kuala Lumpur.

She could not also show her return ticket, accommodation arrangements or her itinerary in Malaysia. 

“Iya eot a sanda nag-kita it andang katrato sa Kalibo bago sanda gin pasakay sa Kalibo airport. Hadakpan sanda nga ro andang passport ag boarding passes hay peke ro istampa nga gin-gamit ag bukon ta it istampa it naka-duty nga immigration officer. Iba ta ru kolor nga gingamit sa pag-istampa,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the immigration officers at Kalibo International Airport were instructed by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) to be more vigilant and to strengthen screening processes since the airport is one of the preferred exit points for trafficked victims.

Last February, 11 undocumented workers bound to Malaysia were also intercepted in Kalibo, Aklan by authorities. 

As of 9 p.m. Monday, the human trafficking victims are under investigation by Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Aklan and the Kalibo police.

Under the guidelines of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, Filipinos with legal work visas and overseas employment certificates are required to present  documents when leaving the country.

Travelers to abroad must prove their financial capability for the trip, present proof of work or support in the Philippines, or submit an affidavit of support if they are visiting relatives overseas, to prevent being offloaded from flights.

On the other hand, Gonzales said the Department of Justice will establish an inter-agency task force against human trafficking in Aklan at KIA, Caticlan airport and Caticlan port to intensify the campaign against human trafficking.

A high number of victims bound for Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia, which are considered transit points, accounted for high incidents of human trafficking. 

Dubai is the most common destination of Filipinos who want to illegally work overseas.