Immigration Officer Earns P500,000 Daily in Human Trafficking Operations at NAIA Arrested

Immigration Officer Earns P500,000 Daily in Human Trafficking Operations at NAIA Arrested

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | September 18, 2027

MANILA, Philippines – An immigration officer at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 has been arrested in connection with an alleged extensive human trafficking and illegal recruitment operation. This significant development follows the rescue of a potential trafficking victim on September 12, an intervention led by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Task Force.

The operation was swiftly initiated based on intelligence provided by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), prompting immediate coordination with the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES). This rapid response adheres to IACAT Departure Formalities, mandating BI intervention when a departing passenger is suspected of being a trafficking victim.

The rescued individual, identified as 35-year-old “Inah,” was reportedly recruited online via Telegram and Messenger for a “phone operator” position at a casino near the Myanmar-Thailand border. She was promised a monthly salary of P50,000 and had been booked for travel to Thailand as a tourist. Inah identified her recruiter as “Miss A,” who claimed to be a human resources employee.

The investigation now encompasses five individuals, including the implicated BI personnel, to ascertain their full involvement and potential criminal violations in this alleged trafficking and illegal recruitment scheme. Sources indicate that the arrested BI officer reportedly amassed approximately P500,000 daily from this illicit operation.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado commended the inter-agency collaboration, reiterating the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to eradicating human trafficking in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive. “Our airports will not serve as conduits for trafficking and illegal recruitment. Simultaneously, any BI personnel complicit in illegal activities will be rigorously investigated and held accountable,” Viado affirmed.

Commissioner Viado issued a forceful caution to Filipinos seeking overseas employment, urging extreme vigilance and strict adherence to established government protocols. He underscored the critical importance of verifying all job offers and travel arrangements through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its official online services.

This incident profoundly highlights the indispensable role of integrated efforts between IACAT Task Force members, particularly the BI and NBI, in intercepting trafficking attempts before victims can leave the country.