PRESS RELEASE
15 April 2025
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A 34-year-old Filipina who became a victim of human trafficking and illegal recruitment has been deported from Malaysia.
The individual, identified only as alias “Tina,” arrived at the Zamboanga International Seaport on March 28, 2025 after being deported by Malaysian authorities.
According to the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) immigration protection and border enforcement section (I-PROBES), “Tina,” a former government law enforcement personnel, departed the Philippines on February 5, 2025 using a clandestine route: from Palawan to Kudat, Malaysia, then proceeded to Kota Kinabalu via speedboat—bypassing official immigration checks and entry procedures.
Upon arrival in Sabah, “Tina” was forced to work as an entertainer in a club for 10 days. She was later rescued by Malaysian authorities and taken to a women’s shelter in Kota Kinabalu.
She was eventually deported by Malaysian authorities for working in the country without proper documentation.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized the dangers of illegal departures and unregulated job offers abroad.
“We remind all Filipinos never to agree to illegal employment or unverified overseas work offers,” said Viado. “The backdoor is not a shortcut—it is a direct route to exploitation. The government is serious in protecting our nationals and stopping trafficking rings, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to safeguard our citizens from abuse abroad.”
Viado also stressed the importance of public cooperation in detecting illegal recruitment schemes. “If you or someone you know is being recruited for suspicious overseas work or asked to travel through unofficial routes, report it immediately to the authorities,” he added.
Upon arrival in Zamboanga, the passenger underwent standard immigration formalities and was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for assistance and post-rescue care.
For suspected trafficking or illegal recruitment activities, the public is urged to contact the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) via its 24/7 actionline 1343.
