VP Sara pays tribute to OFWs, frontliners on Christmas By GISELLE OMBAY, GMA Integrated News

Two Filipinas who were victims of human trafficking in Malaysia have returned to the Philippines in time for Christmas, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Monday. The repatriated individuals, whose names were withheld by BI, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on December 20. The victims said they left the Philippines earlier this year via a boat trip through the Palawan-Kudat route because they were “enticed by promises of employment as waitresses in clubs.” They were, however, deprived of any compensation for their work when they started their jobs, according to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco. “One of them even faced further distress when she expressed her desire to return home. Instead of letting her go, her employer reported her to Malaysian authorities for working without a proper visa, resulting in her detention,” he said. Tansingco said the situation of the victims served as a reminder of the challenges faced by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were improperly documented and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent human trafficking. “They find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous employers without the protection of legal contracts. The lack of formal agreements leaves them susceptible to exploitation and abuse,” he added. The two Filipina victims were assisted by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA-TFAT) for their repatriation. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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