Senator pushes stronger measures vs trafficking

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian —Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has reiterated his call for government agencies to strengthen measures to protect prospective overseas Filipino workers from falling victim to human and drug trafficking syndicates.

He made the call to the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and other relevant agencies as he expressed alarm over the recent rescue of two Filipino women, who almost became drug couriers in Malaysia.

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“This incident highlights the urgent need to crack down on criminal syndicates operating in the country that recruit drug mules under the guise of overseas employment,” the senator said.

Gatchalian also stressed the need for the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to coordinate closely with their overseas counterparts in combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes victimizing hapless Filipinos in search of employment opportunities abroad.

The two unidentified Filipinos were intercepted in Malaysia right before they were set to receive a package hiding illegal drugs, according to the NBI.

The rescue traced back to January 2025, when the NBI intercepted a Filipino drug mule at an undisclosed location where P25 million worth of cocaine was seized.

Investigation showed that an African drug trade syndicate lures Filipinos who are fluent in English and are in financial distress. They do so by baiting Filipinos to an all-expense-paid trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong, offering $5,000 to anyone who agrees to transport packages from the two countries.