AN underage overseas Filipina worker bound for the Middle East was intercepted by immigration agents last Monday at the Clark International Airport.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said she initially told immigration agents that she was 27 years old and is traveling to work as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.
However, immigration officers under the BI’s Travel Control and Enforcement Unit noted inconsistencies in her statement, particularly on her age.
“She claimed to be 27 but stated that her older brother is 23.When further asked, it was confirmed she is only 21 years old and that a certain Munalisa instructed her not to reveal her true age,” Morente said.
The minimum age to work as a domestic helper in the Middle East, according to Morente, is 23.
Morente said her birth certificate also contained discrepancy as it showed that she was already 30 years old.
“This is a clear case of human trafficking, preying on their needs and providing them documents through fraudulent means. We warn our kababayans not to fall prey to these illegal schemes,” the BI chief said.
It can be recalled that during the Senate hearings on the trafficking of Filipinas, underage overseas Filipino workers were illegally transported to Syria and other countries in the Middle East, where they ended up being abused, exploited and unpaid.
