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MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration on Friday said suspected illegal recruiters and their victims will be placed on the agency’s watchlist until they can prove they are not engaged in the illegal activity.
Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said he issued a memorandum to immigration personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport ordering that passengers offloaded on suspicion of illegal recruitment and human trafficking be placed immediately on the watchlist.
Those whose names appear on the list will be prevented from leaving the country, he said.
“They will remain on the watchlist until they can show substantive and convincing proof that they are not involved in illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” the immigration chief said in a statement.
Libanan said the new policy should discourage Filipinos who get the services of syndicates engaged in the deployment of undocumented workers abroad. These syndicates would usually ask the worker to leave the country as a tourist.
According to the bureau, around 400 Filipinos were barred from leaving the country from January to September this year for not having clearances and requirements from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
