MANILA – Immigration authorities at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 rescued a 17-year-old female passenger from Maguindanao del Sur who was allegedly being sent to Saudi Arabia as a household service worker under false pretenses.

The minor, identified only as Zia, was set to depart on a Philippine Airlines flight on January 24 when Immigration personnel discovered that her passport indicated she was 25 years old. Upon further verification, her birth certificate confirmed she is only 17, making her ineligible for overseas employment.

Zia was recruited by a Pasay City-based recruitment agency. Authorities immediately coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which took custody of the minor to provide protection and to investigate the illegal recruitment attempt.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the rescue underscores the government’s firm stance against the exploitation of vulnerable Filipinos.

(PNA)