8 trafficking victims rescued in Clark: BI

CLARK FREEPORT --- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it recently intercepted at the Clark International Airport (CRK) a human trafficker who attempted to escort 8 victims recruited to work in Israel despite the ongoing crisis in the ar ea.

The BI immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-PROBES) reported the female trafficker attempted to depart with the victims on board an Emirates airlines flight at the CRK Terminal 2 in the guise of a pilgrimage to the said country.

The victims later admitted that they will work as hospital and hotel cleaners upon their arrival in Israel with a monthly salary of P60,000 to P80,000.

Last year, the agency said the Philippine government placed Israel under crisis Alert level 2 and only returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with existing employment contracts are allowed to go back to their destination and resume their employment.

The recruiter reportedly worked as a travel agent and enticed the victims to work under such circumstances, the BI said.

According to the agency, one of the victims recounted how their agent promised that they will be employed “in a safer part of Israel’.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco blasted the scheme saying that the recruiter should be put behind bars.

“All for money, this recruiter has made her victims agree to such circumstances despite the major life risk,” said Tansingco. “She should face what she did in court and must be jailed to serve as an example not to prey on the vulnerabilities of our fellow Filipinos,” he added.

All 9 passengers were turned over to the inter-agency council against trafficking (IACAT) for processing.

The 8 victims will undergo assistance while the trafficker faces charges in court. (RGN)