Two Filipino women were rescued from a potential trafficking situation by immigration officers at the Davao International Airport (DIA) on February 21.
According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the women, in their late 20s and early 30s, were stopped from boarding a flight to Thailand, where they were allegedly planning to transit to the UAE for employment.
The officers grew suspicious when the duo, who claimed they were traveling alone for a holiday, presented documentation that hinted at their real purpose: to work abroad as a dancer and a massage therapist, respectively. Upon further inspection, they admitted to their recruitment for these roles.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco highlighted the danger of such situations, where women are often coerced into prostitution by their employers overseas. He stressed the importance of seeking employment abroad through legal channels and reminded those aspiring to work overseas to protect themselves from exploitative syndicates.
The victims have been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) DIA for support in taking legal action against their recruiters, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and protect individuals from exploitation.