Immigration stops Russia-bound trafficking attempt at NAIAPhoto showing an immigration clearance lane at the airport from the Bureau of Immigration. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration intercepted two Filipino men at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on January 2, preventing them from becoming victims of a human trafficking scheme bound for Russia. Immigration officers said the two initially presented themselves as tourists, but a secondary inspection showed their travel was intended to facilitate illegal employment abroad. The BI said it had received prior intelligence about a larger group targeted for trafficking to Russia, prompting officers to closely monitor passengers with inconsistent travel accounts. The two men were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance and to support the filing of criminal charges against their recruiters.

Source: Philippine Star January 12, 2026 09:05 UTC