FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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New human trafficking scheme: Filipino women posing as boxers

New human trafficking scheme: Filipino women posing as boxers

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) has discovered a human trafficking ploy where the victims are asked to pose as boxers, complete with a jersey and Philippine flag, only to work as house helpers and waitresses abroad.

Philippines Immigration chief Jaime Morente said the new style was discovered following the arrest of a man on October 2 with two women about to board a Thai Airways flight to Bangkok.
The man was identified as Rexsan Naval Godala, 30. Morente said Godala, who introduced himself as a professional boxing trainer, was supposed to escort the victims who pretended to be boxers and wore jerseys emblazoned with a logo of the Philippine flag.
“It turned out that he was not a boxing trainer and that the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) licence and letter of authority purportedly signed by GAB chairman Abraham Mitra which he presented are spurious,” Morente said.
His victims admitted during the interview that from Bangkok, they would take a connecting flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where they were hired to work as a maid and waitress, respectively.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that it was not the first time that Godala, who later admitted he is a boxer but is not connected with the GAB, was seen accompanying Filipinas posing as boxers on trips abroad.
A report by personnel from the BI’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU) who intercepted the three passengers disclosed that on September 14 Godala managed to escort out of the country two women similarly disguised and dressed as boxers.
Verification made with the BI’s travel database revealed that the women never returned, contrary to Godala’s assertion at the time that the “boxers” would return after only two days.
The TCEU also reported Godala admitted on August 28 that he escorted three other women to take part in a boxing competition in Thailand.
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
ASIA NEWS NETWORK
 

 

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