MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted a 25-year-old Filipino woman at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on suspicion of being a mail-order bride.

The BI said the interception is part of intensified anti-trafficking operations under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who earlier ordered agencies to strengthen protections for vulnerable Filipino travelers.

The woman, who was scheduled to board an Air China flight to Beijing, was referred to the Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) for secondary inspection after primary officers flagged her for possible trafficking.

During the interview, she claimed she was visiting her Chinese husband, identified only as “Wang,” whom she supposedly met online through a mutual friend in 2024. She said they married in September 2025 “in a restaurant,” but could not provide details about the alleged ceremony.

Immigration officers also found inconsistencies in her statements and documents. The BI said she presented a PSA marriage certificate with questionable entries. She later admitted she was unaware of the legal requirements for marriage and that her aunt processed all documents for a payment of ₱60,000.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado condemned the attempt, describing it as a “clear case of a mail-order bride scheme.”

“These arrangements trap victims in exploitative situations abroad—many end up unpaid, abused, and unable to seek help. We urge the public not to fall for these fraudulent offers,” Viado said.

The woman has been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation and assistance.