MANILA - The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has issued a warning to the public to remain vigilant against human trafficking. This caution comes after a recent incident where a Filipino was deceived by a job offer abroad and subsequently forced into a detrimental situation.
According to Philippines News Agency, the CFO has intensified its information and education campaigns across the nation to combat human trafficking. The recent case involved a resident from Pangasinan who was lured by a Filipino and Chinese couple with the promise of employment in China. Instead of finding job opportunities, she was forced to marry a Chinese national and suffered abuse from her husband and his brother.
The victim was eventually rescued through the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Beijing and the CFO. In response to this incident, a legal case has been initiated against the recruiters for violating Republic Act No. 9208, known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Secretary Arugay emphasized the government's commitment to apprehending and prosecuting those involved in human trafficking, stating, "We are going to catch them. There is no place for them."
The CFO highlighted certain "red flags" to watch for, such as the rushed processing of documents and offers of employment with disproportionately low salaries for the expected workload. The public is urged to report any suspicious cases of human trafficking to the CFO hotline at (+632) 1343 or through their website at www.1343actiononline.ph.