Two Filipino women attempting to leave the country under the guise of a Hong Kong vacation were intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after officers uncovered their real destination—Bahrain, where they were recruited to work illegally.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that the women, identified only as Annie and Aiza and both in their 30s, were flagged during routine inspection at the airport. While the pair initially claimed they were headed for a short holiday, inconsistencies in their statements prompted immigration personnel to dig deeper.
Further questioning revealed that the two had been promised jobs in a Bahraini factory, with a monthly salary of 130 BHD or roughly ₱19,000. They admitted their plans and said an online recruiter handed them two envelopes—one with tourist travel documents and another with materials linked to their Bahrain employment, including a plane ticket and visa paperwork.
Authorities suspect the case involves illegal recruitment and reminded travelers to ensure their employment abroad is processed through legal channels.
