Filipino trafficking to Albania is on the rise, with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) expressing concern over the increasing number of Filipinos being trafficked to the European country.
On June 28, three Filipinos were intercepted by immigration officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. The individuals were about to board a flight to Malaysia but were stopped after they claimed to be tourists.
Upon further questioning, the three Filipinos admitted that they had been promised jobs in Albania as a housekeeping attendant, factory worker, and waiter.
They also revealed that they had paid between ₱34,000 and ₱74,000 to recruiters they had contacted through Facebook Messenger. After sending the money, the recruiters blocked them online and left them with no further instructions or valid travel documents.
Bureau of Immigration’s Concerns and Actions
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado stated that this is not an isolated case, and the Bureau of Immigration has noticed a sharp rise in illegal departures bound for Albania.
Viado also mentioned that the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) has been informed and that more efforts will be made to track down the illegal recruiters involved.
The Role of Social Media in Illegal Recruitment
The three Filipinos were recruited through Facebook Messenger, a common platform for illegal recruiters to reach potential victims. This highlights the growing issue of social media being used to facilitate human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
How Filipinos Can Protect Themselves from Trafficking
The Bureau of Immigration urges all Filipino workers to be cautious when seeking job opportunities abroad, especially those offered through social media channels like Facebook Messenger.
They also emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious recruitment activities to prevent becoming victims of human trafficking.
Conclusion
With Filipino trafficking to Albania on the rise, authorities are taking action to stop illegal recruitment and protect Filipino workers from exploitation.
The BI and IACAT are working together to track down perpetrators and raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking.
References:
- Bureau of Immigration (BI) – Official statements on the rise of Filipino trafficking cases and actions being taken.
- Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) – Government body involved in efforts to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
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