MANILA, Philippines — A recruitment syndicate operating in Pasay and Pampanga is illegally trafficking Filipinos to Iraq, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). In an advisory yesterday, the DFA warned the public of illegal recruiters who offer household service jobs in Dubai, Turkey or other places in Europe, but would then abandon their victims in Iraq. The agency said eight more trafficking victims were secured by the Philippine embassy in Bagdad last month and will soon be deported to the Philippines. Citing official statements gathered from the trafficking victims, the DFA said the recruiters promised to have the visas to their supposed destination available while in transit in Iraq. The agency also warned that Iraq imposes imprisonment and hefty penalties for persons without the proper visas or with expired visas.

Source: Philippine Star May 18, 2019 16:00 UTC