Human trafficking is a serious crime that many Filipinos wanting to work abroad fall into this lure.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has urged prospective Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to take the lawful route in seeking employment abroad, emphasizing the risks of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Recently, the bureau made as examples the separate cases of two victim-Filipinas in Malaysia recently rescued and repatriated.
One of them, 29-year-old “Shiela,” was replied to a Facebook post and was recruited ostensibly as a waitress.
"Sheila" shared that she did not pay anything prior to her departure from the Philippines. She was made to pose as a domestic employee and courier of her traveling companion.
When they reached Malaysia, "Shiela" was forced to work as a sex worker to enable her to pay for the expenses incurred for her departure amounting to P150,000.
“Shiela” was later rescued by the Philippine government and arrived safely back last June 21.
Another victim, “Michelle,” 29, arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 from Malaysia last June 26. She was also promised to work as a waitress with a salary equivalent to P40,000 a month.
Records showed that "Michelle", in her first attempt to travel to Malaysia, should have left last year but this was deferred by the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit.
Because of that, "Michelle" relayed that to evade immigration inspection, she had to travel to Malaysia via the country's backdoor by boat and did not pass through any formal ports of exit.
“Michelle” told authorities she was made to take drugs and drink alcohol and was forced to perform sexual acts to customers.
Both "Shiela" and "Michelle" said their mobile phones were confiscated so they could not seek help from anyone or from Philippine authorities.
They were later rescued, claiming that a number of victims remain in Malaysia.
"We cannot stress enough the importance of following the proper channels through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Taking shortcuts may lead to severe consequences, jeopardizing the safety and well-being of our fellow Filipinos,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.