BI intercepts possible human trafficking victim at NAIA bus crash

MANILA, Philippines — Immigration officials intercepted a possible victim of human trafficking who presented a fake immigration stamp at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) over the weekend.

The victim, according to Travel Control and Enforcement Unit officials, was bound for the United Arab Emirates. She admitted during questioning that a cousin did all the documents processing for her.

She also told probers that she gave her passport and boarding pass to a woman who waited outside the NAIA Terminal 3. The unidentified woman allegedly came back 15 minutes later and instructed her to proceed to the immigration counter for departure. But a forensic investigation by the Bureau of Immigration showed that the border stamp was fake.

“Our officers have wide-ranging measures to detect and deter fraud. We will continue to safeguard the public against trafficking and aid in bringing these perpetrators to justice,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.