Passenger intercepted during immigration checks after authorities discover outstanding arrest warrant.
Dubai: A Filipina woman bound for Dubai has been arrested at Manila’s main international airport after immigration authorities discovered an active arrest warrant in connection with alleged illegal recruitment and estafa cases, according to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP).
The 41-year-old was intercepted on July 5 during routine immigration screening at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, just before she was due to depart the Philippines for Dubai.
Immigration screening leads to arrest
In a Facebook post, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP AVSEGROUP) said the Bureau of Immigration flagged the passenger during immigration processing after its system detected an outstanding arrest warrant in her name.
Personnel from the NAIA Police Station 3 verified the information and coordinated with the Manila Police District (MPD) Warrant and Subpoena Section to enforce the arrest warrant.
MPD officers later carried out the formal arrest at the airport.
Charges include illegal recruitment and estafa
The woman is facing charges of large-scale and syndicated illegal recruitment under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, which defines and penalises illegal recruitment.
The illegal recruitment charge carries no recommended bail.
She is also facing an estafa charge in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, for which the recommended bail is ₱30,000.
Turned over for legal proceedings
The woman has been placed in the custody of the Manila Police District (MPD), where she will undergo documentation and further legal proceedings.
PNP Aviation Security Group Director Police Brigadier General Dionisio Bartolome Jr. said authorities will continue to intensify efforts to locate wanted individuals and ensure they are brought before the courts.
“We will continue to strengthen our campaign against wanted persons to ensure that those facing criminal cases are brought before the proper legal process,” Bartolome said in Filipino.
