3 human trafficking victims rescued in Clark airport
The three allegedly attempted to leave the country by posing as seafarers, according to the BI.
In his report to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, BI Intelligence Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the passengers were intercepted at the Clark airport before they tried to board an afternoon flight to Dubai.
Manahan said the women presented documents purporting that they were employed as seafarers who were about to join their vessel at the port of the United Arab Emirates(UAE).
“Our investigation, however, indicate that these women are not really seafarers but were illegally recruited to work as domestic helpers in the emirate,” Manahan said.
He disclosed that the women presented overseas employment certificates (OECs), seaman’s books, employment contracts, letters of guarantee from their alleged employer, and an entry visa to Dubai.
But upon verification their visa were found to be invalid.
“When asked about details on how they acquired their documents, they gave highly inconsistent statements, which prompted the immigration officers to investigate further,” Mahanan said.
Verification also revealed that two of the women had previously worked as household service workers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Manahan added that the women also failed to give the name of the vessel where they were allegedly hired to work as cleaners.
“Examination of their documents also showed that the ship they were supposed was docked in
Labuan, Malaysia at the time of their departure,” he said.
Morente urged BI port personnel to be extra vigilant against similar schemes and attempts by human traffickers who take advantage of the pandemic to spirit their victims out of the country.
“These illegal recruiters and human traffickers are taking advantage of the need of some of our kababayan seeking jobs during this pandemic,” said Morente. “We advise aspiring OFWs not to fall prey to such schemes, and to always check and double check their documents to ensure that everything is l egal ."
ANGELES CITY – The city government promotes its “Pasal-One, Angeleno Pa” campaign further by staging an exhibit showcasing the products of the One Town, One Product store (OTOP) at SM City Clark.
Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. continues to push for the initiative, which aims to showcase local talent, and help the city’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) recover amid the pandemic.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagsuporta at pagtangkilik sa mga produkto ng ating mga local MSMEs, matutulungan natin silang makabangon lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya,” Lazatin said.
Since the re-opening of the OTOP store in Angeles City, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel has been supervising and working closely with Angeles Economic Investment and Promotions (ACEDIPO) Officer-In-Charge Irish Bonus-Llego in gathering and inviting more local MSMEs to have their products featured at the shop, by waiving the administrative fee of P500.
“Bukod sa pag-waive ng P500 administrative fee for OTOP, tinutulungan din natin yung mga local MSMEs na gustong sumali sa pagprocess ng mga papers nila, lalo na sa BIR at DTI,” Manuel said.
The One Town, One Product was initiated by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004.
A joint project between the Department of Trade and Industry and various local government units, OTOP aims to identify, develop, and promote a specific product or service per region that has a competitive edge – thus promoting entrepreneurship and creating more jobs.
The exhibit at SM City Clark will run from December 17 to 20 and will feature products from local MSMEs who are part of the OTOP store.
Bonus-LLego thanked the SM City Clark management for providing the city government a venue to stage the said exhibit.
“Malaking bagay para sa success ng ‘PasalOne, Angeleno Pa,’campaign yung mas marami tayong venue at platform para ma-i-feature yung produkto nga mga kababayan natin sa OTOP,” she said.
It can be recalled that on December 12, the city government’s “12.12 Pasal-One Na Po Christmas sale” live Facebook selling managed to register record breaking and historic online sales.
The products featured during the historic online selling included miniature ships from Adto Ship; metal plant stands from BG Metals; water bonsais from JJBMS Blooming Greens; plant baskets from Cutud Weavers; recycled bags from Ellen’s Handbags; kitchen organizers from Flores Handicrafts; bayong bags of Tamayuq; painted home decorations made by Tabak’s Artworks; fashion accessories created by K’s creations; wooden kitchenwares by WoodCraft by Madison; Capiz home decorations from Chilona Fabrica; and hair accessories by Stitched by Raj.
FREEPORT --- Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Clark International Airport (CRK) have rescued three women suspected to be human trafficking victims.