Two underage Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have been rescued by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before boarding their flights to Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the duo were not allowed to leave the country after relating their sad experience in the hands of illegal recruiters.
They said their recruiters virtually held them hostage in a safehouse in Paco, Manila, where they taught how to answer questions from immigration officers
BI port operation chief Grifton Medina said the victims presented valid passports, visas and overseas employment certificates.
However, Medina said the birth dates in the documents were altered to make it appear they meet the 26 years old requirement for household service worker.
“Both claimed they were of age, but eventually admitted their real ages of 19 and 20 upon questioning,” he added.
They said their travel papers were given to them at the NAIA shortly before their scheduled departure.
Morente reiterated his reminder to prospective overseas workers to transact only with legitimate recruiters accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. (Jun Ramirez)
