Immigration officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport prevented the departure of a teenage girl after inconsistencies in her age surfaced during pre-departure checks, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
The passenger, referred to by the alias Zia and reported to be from Maguindanao del Sur, was flagged at Terminal 1 while preparing to board a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Saudi Arabia on January 24. Although her passport reflected an age of 25, further examination revealed documentation that contradicted this claim.
During secondary inspection, authorities found a birth certificate indicating that Zia is only 17 years old, placing her below the legal age required for overseas employment. The discrepancy prompted immigration personnel to halt her travel immediately.
Investigators later determined that Zia had been recruited by a recruitment agency based in Pasay City, with arrangements made for her to work as a household service worker in Saudi Arabia despite her ineligibility under Philippine labor and migration laws.
Following the interception, the Bureau of Immigration coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, which assumed custody of the minor to ensure her protection, extend assistance, and pursue potential cases against individuals involved in the recruitment attempt.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the incident shows that “the rescue highlights the government’s firm stance against the exploitation of vulnerable Filipinos.”
