MANILA, Philippines—Around 900 travelers were barred from leaving the country during the period January-November 2008 and most of them were victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking, the Bureau of Immigration said.In a recent report, Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said immigration agents offloaded 909 passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other major ports in the course of the 11-month period. Of the number, 759 were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who carried incomplete travel and work documents. Libanan said 250 of the OFWs did not have clearances from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. Another 16 presented themselves as “tourist workers.” The rest were foreigners who had defective travel papers, while others were included in the bureau’s hold order and watch lists. Libanan said most of the OFWs who were offloaded were bound for Singapore, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern countries. The bureau recently implemented tougher rules against illegal recruitment and human trafficking. Libanan said most of the workers who fall prey to illegal recruiters and traffickers end up in the flesh trade or in the hands of abusive employers. | 
