Inanunsiyo ito ni Morente matapos maharang ang dalawang pasahero na nagpanggap bilang turista sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 nitong Oktubre.
Aniya, nagtangka ang dalawang pasahero na sumakay sa Emirates Airlines flight patungong Dubai noong October 7.
“We are currently in a pandemic, and it is disheartening to know that these illegal recruiters still have the audacity to take advantage of their fellows,” saad ni Morente.
Sa isinumiteng incident report sa BI Chief, isiniwalat ng Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (TCEU) officers na kapwa first-time travelers ang dalawang pasahero na may hawak ng pekeng company identification cards at certificates of employment sa isang apparel company.
“They initially told our secondary inspectors that they were sent by an apparel company to attend training as sales representatives in the UAE. However, our officers found inconsistencies in their statements,” pahayag ni Morente.
Inamin naman ng mga pasahero na hindi sila natanggap sa isang apparel company at ipinakita ang kanilang employment contracts upang magtrabaho bilang household service workers (HSWs) sa isang manager na nagtatrabaho sa apparel company.
“They will apparently be employed as household workers of an employee of the apparel company, and not under the company itself,” ani Morente.
Dagdag nito, travel documents lamang ang ibinigay ng recruiter bago ang kanilang flight.
Sabi nito, “The main reason why we require all departing OFWs to be checked first by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is so we are sure that nobody will suffer the consequences of human trafficking,” said Morente in a statement. “Be keen in transacting with these recruiters and always double-check their licenses and accreditations.”
Babala ni Morente sa mga illegal recruiter, “You are in full violation of the law and this is punishable under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.”
Dinala ang dalawang biktima sa Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) para mabigyan ng tulong at mas malalim na imbestigasyon.