MANILA, Philippines — Five illegal recruitment victims returned to the country from Malaysia on Monday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday.The five workers were reportedly detained for three months in Malaysia on grounds of being undocumented overseas workers, the BI said.
They were recruited to work as waitresses via a social media post.
They narrated that they evaded immigration inspection when they went to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia via a ferry from Zamboanga, and that their passports were not processed formally.
“The victims’ ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in pursuing opportunities without proper documentation,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
“It not only jeopardizes individuals’ rights and well-being while abroad, but also contributes to the prevalence of human trafficking,” he added.
The five Filipinos were assisted upon arrival by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking.
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