MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino women trafficked to Malaysia via an illegal maritime route from Palawan and forced into sex work have been repatriated, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

The women, aged 30 to 32, arrived at the Port of Zamboanga on April 5 from Sandakan, Sabah, aboard MV Antonia. According to an initial BI investigation, the women were recruited online and promised jobs as waitresses in Malaysia, with monthly salaries between P40,000 and P60,000. Upon arrival, they were forced to work as guest relations officers (GROs) in bars.

Two of the women reportedly left the Philippines in November 2024 through an irregular migration corridor, also known as the “backdoor” route. They traveled aboard small and medium-sized boats from Palawan to evade immigration checks at official ports of exit. Once in Sabah, they were taken to a bar-restaurant where they were later apprehended by Malaysian authorities for working without legal documents.

The pair spent five months in detention before being deported. The third woman told authorities she had been trafficked to Malaysia as early as 2021 and had endured repeated exploitation since then.

“These young women were lured by false promises, smuggled out of the country through unauthorized routes, and forced into degrading conditions abroad,” said Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. “Thanks to the cooperation of our foreign counterparts and the vigilance of our frontline agencies, we were able to ensure their safe return.”

Viado said the repatriation supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border security and intensify the fight against human trafficking.

The BI reminded the public—especially Filipinos seeking work abroad—to be wary of online job offers and to use only accredited recruitment channels. Those with information about trafficking or illegal recruitment activities are encouraged to contact the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) through its 24/7 Actionline 1343.