2 Pinays barred from leaving for UAE

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipinas believed to be victims of human trafficking have been prevented from leaving for the United Arab Emirates.

The women, in their late 20s and 30s, tried to fly to Thailand on Feb. 21, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said in a statement.

They initially claimed to be tourists going on holiday but their travel documents showed they were going to UAE, the BI said.

The two women admitted they were recruited to work as a dancer and a massage therapist in the UAE, according to the BI.