MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred six Filipinos who posed as tourists but were bound for work overseas in illegal gambling establishments.
In a statement on Monday, the BI said its officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 barred five Bangkok-bound passengers from leaving last March 9.
All five passengers initially claimed they were legitimate tourists, friends traveling for a vacation abroad. But immigration officers noted numerous inconsistencies in their statements, including basic details about their travel and relationship with each other.
On March 8, a female passenger was also blocked from boarding her flight to Singapore after admitting to immigration officers at the Naia Terminal 3 that she had been recruited for an offshore gaming company in Thailand by someone on Facebook who promised her a salary of $1,000 a month.
According to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, such reports show continuing recruitment of Filipinos by syndicates to work for illegal online gaming operations.
“Many of these passengers, disguised as tourists, are usually bound for Thailand while others are destined for Cambodia or Myanmar. These recruitment scams show no sign of stopping,” Tansingco said.
This, Tansingco said, is the reason why “our officers at the airport are doubly strict in allowing the departure of Filipino tourists with doubtful travel purpose.”
“We are duty-bound to protect our citizens from being victimized by these trafficking syndicates,” he added.