INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday that human trafficking has become a “global threat” that has victimized many Filipinos.
“This problem is both severe and complex,” said Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, urging more collaboration between the government and the private sector.
He noted that the International Criminal Police Organization on June 7 issued an Orange Notice on human trafficking, especially those done through social media, adding that there’s been increased trafficking victimizing Southeast Asian nations.
An Orange Notice is a global warning regarding a serious and imminent threat to public safety.
The notice describes the scheme as double-edged in nature, as it victimizes both the trafficked individuals and a second set of victims targeted by online fraud. The trafficked victims endure forced labor, extortion, physical and sexual exploitation, and even organ harvesting.