CEBU – Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers stationed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) intercepted two Filipino passengers suspected of attempting to leave the country to work abroad illegally.

In a report released Tuesday, the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) said a 44-year-old female and a 32-year-old male were stopped on July 18 while attempting to board a Cebu Pacific flight bound for Hong Kong.

Initially posing as tourists, both individuals were flagged after immigration officers noted numerous inconsistencies in their statements. Upon further questioning, they admitted they were traveling together to evade strict inspections and intended to work illegally in different countries.

The female passenger disclosed that she was bound for the United Arab Emirates and was assisted by the male individual, whom she identified as her “cousin.” The male companion, described as a frequent traveler, had coordinated with a female accomplice and allegedly facilitated her travel.

The male later admitted he was heading to Jeju Island in South Korea to work on a farm and planned to recruit 10 more people for overseas work.

The two individuals were turned over to the MCIA Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation and possible filing of charges against their recruiter and facilitator.