In a stark reminder of the persistent threat of human trafficking, Philippine authorities have intercepted two individuals bound for Tonga under the guise of tourism, uncovering a scheme that promised lucrative jobs but led instead to exploitation.
The Inquirer reported the country’s Bureau of Immigration (BI) had stopped the passengers, aged 35 and 31, on October 10 before they could board their flight.
According to the BI, the two were scheduled to travel to Tonga via Singapore aboard a Scoot Airlines flight.
Officials became suspicious during routine immigration checks and prevented their departure.
The report says that after being blocked, the two individuals initially insisted they were tourists but later confessed they were destined for illegal employment in the Kingdom of Tonga.
According to the victims’ statements to authorities, they had been promised work as store cashiers with a monthly salary of P50,000 (NZD $1,475).
Furthermore, the victims disclosed that they had each paid their recruiters fees ranging from P8,000 to P14,000 (NZD $236 to $413) to facilitate the arrangement.
The U.S. State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report affirms that the Philippine government fully meets the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking.
The report highlights key actions, including the investigation, prosecution, and conviction of more traffickers—among them, complicit officials—with most receiving significant prison sentences.
As Kaniva News reported previously, Tonga is both a source and destination country for sex and labour trafficking, with East Asian women often forced into prostitution in Tonga and Tongan adults vulnerable to exploitation abroad.
Recent reports highlight ongoing efforts to combat trafficking, including the establishment of a national action plan and a police task force, but challenges remain, particularly in prosecution and identifying and protecting victims.
