The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has uncovered a new trafficking route involving Filipino victims being trafficked to Pakistan to work illegally in online gaming hubs. This alarming development is the first of its kind and marks a dangerous shift in trafficking patterns similar to POGO-like operations.
The discovery comes in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the government’s fight against human trafficking and tighten border control to protect vulnerable Filipinos from transnational syndicates.
The victims — one male and three females, all in their late 30s to early 40s — were intercepted by the Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on July 6, while attempting to depart for Hong Kong via Cebu Pacific flight 5J 110.
According to the BI, the victims originally claimed they were traveling for a brief vacation in Hong Kong. However, during secondary inspection, they admitted that their final destination was Pakistan where they were recruited to work as cleaners and a cook in an online gaming compound.
They revealed that a Chinese national promised them monthly salaries ranging from ₱35,000 to ₱45,000, provided them with cash for their travel, and instructed them to pose as tourists until further arrangements were made.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado expressed serious concern over the new trafficking route. “This is a deeply disturbing trend. We are now seeing victims being funneled to Pakistan for illegal online work — clearly a new scheme from the same criminal playbook tied to illegal POGOs,” he said. “This shows how traffickers are becoming more aggressive and deceptive.”
“These people were promised jobs, but were told to lie about their purpose of travel and wait for further instructions overseas. This modus operandi reeks of exploitation and abuse,” he added.
The BI has since relayed its findings to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to investigate recruiters and facilitators behind the scheme.
Viado reiterated his warning to aspiring overseas workers: “Be cautious of anyone offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities abroad, especially if you’re instructed to lie or pose as a tourist. These victims were scammed, and almost trafficked out of the country under false promises.
