BUREAU of Immigration personnel stopped six trafficking victims posing as pilgrims bound for the Holy Land from leaving the country.
Members of the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section intercepted the six at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 while on their way to board a flight for Amman, Jordan.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that while the six claimed to be going to a pilgrimage, they were unable to provide details about their trip.
“They all claimed to be traveling together for a pilgrimage but they were unaware of their travel itinerary. They are also not known to each other,” Tansingco said in a statement
The BI was able to confirm that the group was going to Jordan for employment.
The passengers said they paid an alleged male pastor P75,000 to P150,000 each to arrange the trip.
The BI also learned that the two of the six travelers had been prevented from leaving the country in September for a pilgrimage due to inconsistencies in their statements and documentation.
Tansingco said they were supposed to be part of a group of 14 pilgrims. 10 members of this group have not returned to the country and are presumed to be working abroad, he said.
The alleged pastor was also identified as the one who arranged the purported pilgrimage in September.
The BI has referred the latest case to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and the National Bureau of Investigation is set to probe the modus.
