IMMIGRATION officers at the Davao International Airport yesterday rescued three trafficking victims recruited to work as entertainers in Singapore.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the three were stopped by personnel of its Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) after attempting to board a Scoot Airlines flight to Singapore.
Viado said two of the victims were in their 20s while one was only 18 years old.
“Two of them were actually from Luzon, and travelled all the way to Davao for the trip. They initially claimed to be working together, and are traveling for a holiday for five days,” he said.
However, verification confirmed that they have been recruited to work as entertainers in Singapore.
One of the victims told immigration officers she was introduced by her neighbor in Davao to a Manila-based contact, who facilitated their travel.
“They stated that they did not pay anything for their recruitment, but were told that expenses of 5,000 Singaporean dollars will be deducted from their salary,” Viado said.
“This is a form of debt bondage…. This is a clear case of human trafficking, wherein our kababayans are made to agree to unfair arrangements. In many cases, women who are promised work as entertainers are later forced to work in the sex trade,” he added.
Initial investigation identified two possible recruiters that arranged the travel, though the BI declined to provide their names due to the ongoing probe.
Viado said they are also looking into two immigration personnel who may have connections to the suspects, adding that appropriate charges will be filed should the investigation uncover evidence of their involvement.
The three victims have been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.
