BI officer charged with human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines - A Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer will be charged with trafficking in persons before the Pasay City regional trial court.

Department of Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento has dismissed the motion of Immigration Officer I Luzviminda Herrera to reconsider the resolution of Pasay City prosecutor’s office indicting her for violating Republic Act 9208, the anti-trafficking in persons law.

“Putting together these vital pieces of evidence, it is indubitably shown that there engenders a well founded belief that respondent-appellant (Herrera) is probably guilty of facilitating and promoting trafficking in persons by allowing the passengers to exit from the airport without the proper travel documents,” read the resolution issued March 14.

Immigration records show that in September last year, Herrera tried to facilitate the departure of seven Filipinos without inspecting their travel documents. The passengers said their recruiters told them to line up at an Immigration counter manned by a certain “Ate Rose.” The station was later discovered to be Herrera’s.