Twenty Filipino men were barred from leaving for destinations in Africa after their claims to have been offered construction jobs were not backed up with proper documentation.
On June 8 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) stopped the men, who were about to board a flight to Dubai. The men were prevented from leaving the country after the BI found their travel documents to be “spurious”, GMA News reported.
Jaime Morente, BI Commissioner, said that the victims claimed they were being sent by a Malaysia-based company to Sao Tome and Principe in Africa. However, the invitation they presented was dubious and they could not provide required details about their purpose of travel.
One of the victims said that they were offered highly-paid construction jobs in the African countries.
The BI believe that the men were victims of human trafficking. The victims were referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation.
‘Victims’? How do they know this to be a case of human trafficking? Also, what right does our government have to prevent adults from traveling?
It is a given, and dictated by law that when one travels, all documents must be in order, whether adult or not.
Are you not aware about the rampant practice of global human traficking, the modern day slavery, and the governments frive to protect the citizens?
Clark Dodot Orbe Yes, we see it every day when our government believes they have the right to dictate when we travel and where we work. They do not own us and if I want to work at a job outside I shouldn’t have to ask their permission.
Jinggoy Quiblat Thats Idiotic if you assume that. Yes, proper documents are a passport, a visa and an airline ticket. Proper documents are not any POEA approvals etc. Those are policies that violate our constitutional right to freedom of movement.