PASAY CITY, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) stopped a 25-year-old Filipino woman on Dec. 7, as she prepared to board an Air China flight to Beijing amid suspicions of a mail-order bride arrangement.
Immigration authorities said the woman initially declared tourism as her purpose of travel but later admitted she intended to meet a foreign man she had contacted online, who allegedly promised marriage and sponsored her trip. Officers cited insufficient proof of tourism, including hotel bookings, travel funds, and a detailed itinerary.
The woman was referred to the BI Travel Control and Enforcement Unit, which coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT). Authorities invoked Republic Act No. 6955, which prohibits mail-order bride arrangements, and prevented her from boarding the flight.
Officials said the case will undergo further evaluation, including counseling and possible inclusion in support programs for at-risk outbound passengers. The BI reaffirmed its monitoring of travelers to prevent trafficking and similar schemes, emphasizing proper documentation and truthful declarations during immigration checks.