MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has repatriated a 30-year-old female trafficking victim from Malaysia, highlighting the government’s intensified campaign against human trafficking.

The victim, identified only as alias “Sally,” arrived in Manila from Kuala Lumpur on board a Malaysian Airlines flight on August 26, after receiving assistance from the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia.

She admitted that she illegally departed the country through an irregular migration corridor, more commonly known as the backdoor. Sally said she left on May 29 via Tawi-Tawi after being offered work as a waitress in Malaysia.

She recounted that instead of flying out as promised, she and two other women were transported by boat to Kota Kinabalu. Upon arrival, she was picked up and later brought to a Chinese employer, where she was forced to work in a prostitution hub. Her travel documents were confiscated, and she was not given salary or food allowance.

According to Sally, her employer claimed she owed them ₱200,000 to cover the costs of her recruitment.

“This is a clear case of debt-bondage, wherein the victim is tied to their trafficker because of made up or trumped up debts,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. “Let this serve as a warning to syndicates and illegal recruiters: the Philippine government will not stop until every trafficker exploiting our people is held accountable. We will continue to protect our borders and defend the dignity of Filipinos, wherever they may be.”

The victim later sought help from the Philippine Embassy, which facilitated her return to the Philippines.