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| The suspect was among 7 Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia |
A man who was among seven Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia on Sunday was arrested by an inter-government team shortly arriving at Manila international airport after he was found to have an existing warrant of arrest for qualified human trafficking.
John Lerry Amit came with six victims of human trafficking to Cambodia at around 5:15am on Sunday. The group was immediately assessed individually for whatever services they could avail of from various government agencies.
It was during the processing that Amit was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for qualified human trafficking, the details of which were not disclosed in a press statement issued by the Department of Migrant Workers.
The offence is non-bailable under Philippine law, and the prescribed maximum sentence for those found guilty of the crime is life imprisonment, and fine of up to Php5 million.
Human trafficking is classified as “qualified” in the presence of such aggravating factors as having been committed by a syndicate, where at least one victim was a minor or under 18 years old, if the victim dies or becomes insane, suffers mutilation or is infected with HIV/AIDS.
Amit was immediately read out his rights as an accused under Philippine law, and afterwards was transferred to the custody of airport police ahead of his detention and court appearance.
The DMW said it continues to work with various government agencies in the campaign against illegal recruitment, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation of Filipinos abroad.
The rescue, protection and provision of legal assistance to victims is a top priority, alongside efforts to immediately arrest and hold accountable those behind illegal recruitment and human trafficking offences.
