MANILA, May 7 (NNN-PNA) – The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration, yesterday, ordered its officers at airports, to strictly monitor Filipinos departing for Southeast Asian countries, to prevent them from falling victim to human traffickers.
In the wake of the new human trafficking schemes continuing to emerge within the Southeast Asian region, threatening to exploit Filipinos, all are hereby reminded to stay vigilant, when departing for Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos, the bureau said in an advisory.
The bureau said, departing Filipinos must have a Philippine passport valid for at least six months and a confirmed roundtrip ticket.
Immigration Commissioner, Norman Tansingco, said that, criminals use international events, such as sports competitions, gaming competitions, concerts, and beauty pageants, to smuggle Filipinos out.
To thwart the continuing scheme of traffickers, the Department of Justice (DOJ), asked the Philippine Sports Commission, to provide adequate warning to athletes and audiences attending the ongoing Southeast Asian games in Cambodia.– NNN-PNA
