Trafficker nabbed for trying to bring eight undocumented Pinays to Malaysia

Authorities from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently arrested a woman who attempted to smuggle out of the country as tourists eight undocumented Filipina workers to work as domestic workers and waitresses in Malaysia.

According to Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr., the woman and the eight Filipinas were about to board their flight to Kuala Lumpur on Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 4 when they were blocked by the BI's travel control and enforcement unit.

The woman, who resides in Malaysia, is allegedly married to a Malaysian citizen. She is the signatory to the letters of invitation presented by the eight women that state they are either her friends or relatives.

Immigration authorities became suspicious, though, after the Filipinas failed to present proof of their financial capacity or source of income and employment in the country.

During the investigation, the eight admitted that they were hired by the woman to work as maids and waitresses in Malaysia, despite not having the proper paperwork.

"They did not have the necessary work permits from the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration), thus our immigration officers had to stop them from leaving,” David said.

Before the arrest, David noted that his agency had already been tipped off about human trafficking syndicates that could use the NAIA Terminal 4, or the old domestic departure airport, for their operations.

“We have already alerted our people at the NAIA 4 to be extra vigilant and foil all attempts by these syndicates to use it as a venue for their nefarious activities,” he said.

According to David, the woman is already being probed by the Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking (IACAT) for possible criminal charges. - Gian C. Geronimo, LBG/VVP, GMA News

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