MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino-Taiwanese woman, suspected of being involved in human trafficking, was been arrested on Thursday, October 24, 2019, by Bureau of Immigration agents at the Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Based on a report received by Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente from BI-CIA Chief Joseph Quizon, the still-unnamed suspect was apprehended by immigration agents minutes before boarding her plane bound for Taipei. Immigration officers needed to recheck her baggage that showed some suspicious contents on the x-ray machine.

Following a thorough inspection of her carry-on bag, immigration agents found 22 Philippine passports.

The suspect immediately admitted that the holders of passports were recruited by her “boss” to work in Malta with no necessary work permit or documentation.

On further probing, it was also learned that each of the 22 recruits paid P150,000 for the processing of their work visas to Malta that were to be stamped in Taiwan.

BI officers Virgilio Notario Jr. and Maria Rocio Theresa Ayson of the Bureau’s Travel Control and Enforcement Unit said two Malta nationals served as contacts of the suspect. (BCuaresma /Ismael Amigo/CNS)