2 suspected Malaysian human traffickers deported
GMA NEWS
09/15/2008 | 03:34 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Two Malaysians have been deported back to their country for their alleged involvement in human trafficking activities, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Monday.
The two were identified as Harisan Amirtham, 34; and Balagobal Kannataasan, 26. They were sent back to Kuala Lumpur last Thursday.
Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the two, who were arrested three months ago, have also been placed on the Immigration blacklist order.
“The swift and decisive action of our board in immediately ordering the deportation of these foreigners demonstrates our serious resolve to intensify the campaign against human trafficking,” Libanan said in a statement.
He also said that the two were expelled out from the country based on the summary deportation order that were issued by the bureau's board of commissioner last August 26.
Based on records, Amirtham and Kannataasan were intercepted by Immigration agents at the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last May 2 while about to board a Qantas Airlines Flight to Vancouver, Canada.
The two had reportedly altered their passports and had faked immigration arrival stamps to make it appear that they have arrived in the country last April 13 aboard a Malaysian Airways flights.
Immigration Spokesman, lawyer Floro Balato Jr, said a check on the airline's manifest showed that the two Malaysians were not said flight and there are no records that they have arrived in the country.
The immigration spokesman said that human trafficking syndicates are using Manila as their transit point for smuggling illegal aliens to the US and Canada by facilitating their trips from Malaysia to and from the Philippines. – GMANews.TV
