THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the interception of two outbound passengers suspected to be victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The two passengers—a 31-year-old male and a 30-year-old female—were stopped last May 4 at the NAIA Terminal 3 while attempting to depart for Bali, Indonesia via a Cebu Pacific flight.

Both later revealed that their actual destination was Batam, Indonesia, where they intended to work as a customer service representative and online gaming live streamer.

The victims initially posed as tourists. However, during secondary inspection, they later admitted that they had been recruited for employment abroad under suspicious circumstances.

Records further revealed that both individuals were previously trafficked in 2024, having exited the country through an illegal migration corridor, more popularly known as backdoor routes, to work in Cambodia. They were able to return to the Philippines in 2025, but despite their prior experience, again attempted to leave under similar questionable arrangements.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned the public against falling prey to deceptive recruitment schemes, especially repeat attempts that place individuals at grave risk.

“It is alarming that despite previous victimization, some individuals still fall into the same schemes. This highlights the persistent and evolving tactics of trafficking syndicates. We urge our kababayans to remain vigilant—these offers may seem legitimate, but they often lead to exploitation. The Bureau will continue to strengthen border controls to protect Filipinos from these threats,” he said.

The BI immediately referred the passengers to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for proper assistance and case build-up