AN OVERSEAS Filipino worker (OFW), with fake personal documents, was intercepted by immigration officers at the Clark International Airport.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) stated that the OFW, who assumed the identity of another person, is believed to be a victim of human trafficking.

The victim, whose name was withheld in compliance with human trafficking laws, is from Cotabato.

He attempted to depart via Qatar Airways in Clark airport to work as household help in Doha Qatar.

Travel Control ad Enforcement Unit Johnel Badua and Marc Diego said the victim underwent primary and secondary inspection after discovering inconsistencies in her statements.

She initially claimed to be 27 years old and was being deployed by an agency accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

The victim eventually revealed her real name and admitted that he was only 24.

"These human traffickers go as far as providing their victims documents that assume the identity of others," BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

"This has to stop. They are taking advantage of our Kababayans in the midst of a pandemic," he added.

Morente said human trafficking victims are referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for the identification of their recruiters and filing of charges.

"We pray that that these victims pursue their charges so that those who victimize the vulnerable will find themselves facing the harshest penalties to finally end this modus," the BI chief added.