A Filipino mother was intercepted at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 for allegedly trafficking her daughter by arranging a fake marriage with a Chinese national. The incident occurred on May 13 as the two attempted to board a Philippine Airlines flight to China.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) identified the passengers as Annie, 42, and her daughter, alias Mia. During secondary inspection, Mia presented a fraudulent marriage certificate, claiming she was joining her Chinese husband abroad.
Upon further questioning, Mia admitted she did not consent to the marriage and was unaware of its implications. She said the man was introduced to her just two months earlier, and after the supposed wedding, she received P5,000. Her mother allegedly told her the arrangement would financially benefit their family.
“This case underscores the disturbing reality of human trafficking in the guise of arranged or mail-order marriages,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said. “We will not allow our kababayans, especially young women, to be exploited under false pretenses.”
Both individuals have been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation and assistance.