3 Filipinos Posing as Tourists to Taiwan for Work in South Korea Intercepted at Manila Airport

MANILA, Philippines (Central News Agency) – Three Filipinos suspected of attempting to illegally work abroad under the guise of tourism were intercepted by authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and are facing charges of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said in a press release today that the NAIA Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force intercepted the three individuals at Terminal 3 on the 8th and turned them over to the NBI.

During questioning by immigration officers, the three claimed they were traveling to Taiwan for tourism. However, upon further interrogation, one of the women admitted that she and the other two had been recruited to work at a bar on Jeju Island for a monthly salary of 100,000 Philippine pesos (approximately NT$51,500).

Investigators stated that the recruiters deliberately made the suspects pose as couples and friends to create the illusion of a group trip, facilitating their departure.

Furthermore, the individuals involved had prepared a unified story, group photos, and communication records in advance to increase the credibility of their Taiwan trip story and reduce the risk of being stopped by immigration officers.

The press release noted that the NBI's further investigation revealed that the recruiters had previously used a similar modus operandi to send Filipinos abroad for work, and at least one person who left has not returned to the Philippines to date.

The Philippines has been intensifying its crackdown on human trafficking and illegal recruitment activities in recent years. Law enforcement agencies point out that criminal groups often use third countries with visa-free access or easier entry requirements as a cover, then transfer victims to their final work destinations to evade scrutiny from immigration and labor authorities.

The three individuals involved have been turned over to the prosecutor's office for inquest proceedings and will be prosecuted according to the law. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150610