MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation–International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID) has arrested an individual in Pasay City for illegal recruitment and human trafficking, while an immigration officer faces charges for facilitating the victim’s departure from the country.

In a report released Monday, the NBI said agents arrested Abdullah Taher Asnawi on October 11, 2025, after he and a 20-year-old woman were intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 by Immigration Officers.

The two were bound for Saudi Arabia, but were stopped after their names appeared in the active offloading record, prompting referral to IPROBES for strict assessment.

Investigation revealed that Asnawi recruited the woman despite her being ineligible to work in Saudi Arabia due to the country’s age requirement. He allegedly advised her to use an Umrah visa to bypass the restriction.

The pair were initially cleared for departure by Immigration Officer John Rey Fadrogani, but were later flagged down by authorities.

Verification from the Department of Migrant Workers’ Licensing and Regulations Bureau showed that Asnawi was not licensed or authorized to recruit overseas workers. The NBI said his actions constituted human trafficking, as he recruited, transported, and facilitated travel through fraud and deception, exploiting the victim’s financial vulnerabilityfor labor exploitation.

Asnawi was arrested, informed of his constitutional rights, and underwent standard booking procedures. He was later presented before the Pasay City Inquest Prosecutor for violations of Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended, and Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995), as amended by RA 10022. He is currently detained at the NBI Detention Center in Muntinlupa City.

Meanwhile, Immigration Officer John Rey Fadrogani, who remains at large, was recommended for prosecution for violating Section 5(e) of RA 9208, for allowing and facilitating the victim’s exit without proper documentation and permits for the purpose of labor exploitation.