MANILA, (PIA) -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned the public of the ‘bitbit’ scheme - another trafficking scheme luring women to work in the sex trade abroad.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco shared the latest interception of a female victim last March 22 after she attempted to depart for Kota Kinabalu at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 with her supposed partner. The alleged male trafficker and his victim claimed to be live-in partners traveling abroad for a vacation.

The immigration officers noted that the male companion had recently traveled to Malaysia. A quick check of his records revealed that he previously left with another female who he claimed was also his partner, but has not returned to the Philippines.

“This seems like another case of the ‘bitbit’ scheme, in which a frequent traveler would attempt to transport a female victim who will be deceived into working as a sex worker abroad," said Tansingco.

According to BI, the victim was turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance, while the trafficker faces possible cases for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.

Tansingco cited a 2023 case wherein the victim illegally boarded a sailboat in Palawan to travel to Malaysia. The victim reportedly traveled through mountainous terrains to reach a hotel in Sibu, Malaysia where they were housed as sex workers.

“She was held captive. Disturbingly, she was subjected to appalling conditions, including being denied food if she failed to satisfy the demands of her captors. She was even forced to undergo abortion when they discovered she was with child,” he added.

He called for increased awareness for women, urging them not to agree to such terms to be able to work abroad. (BI/PIA-NCR)