NBI apprehends two suspects for human trafficking and illegal recruitment @ NAIA 1

Following an inter-agency operation, the National Bureau of Investigation – International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID), under the leadership of Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), arrested two (2) individuals on June 12, 2025 for alleged involvement in illegal recruitment and human trafficking activities at NAIA Terminal 1, Pasay City.

The suspects were identified as KAYE ALFARO and DAHLIA MENDEZ BATILLER, both of whom are facing charges for violation of Section 6 of Republic Act 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by RA 10022) and Section 4 of RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by RA 11862).

The case stemmed from the endorsement by the Bureau of Immigration – IPROBES to the NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking – Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (NAIATFAT-IACAT) of two (2) departing female passengers who were intercepted at NAIA Terminal 1, Pasay City. NAIATFAT-IACAT then endorsed the case to NBI-IAID for investigation.

The said 2 passengers presented themselves at the Immigration Counter as tourists bound for Thailand. Upon investigation, one of the passengers, alias “Maria”, disclosed that she had been promised a job as a Customer Service Representative (CSR) in Thailand and was also offered work as a nude model in Cambodia, with payment offers of P60,000 and USD 5,000, respectively. These offers were made by the co-passenger, Kaye Alfaro, who also supplied her with falsified travel documents and facilitated her attempted departure.

Alias Maria revealed she had been asked by Kaye to pay an alleged “escort” service at the Bureau of Immigration in the amount of P70,000, which she believed would guarantee her passage through immigration screening. However, the Bureau of Immigration offloaded both departing passengers after inconsistencies in their travel narratives were uncovered.

Further investigation conducted by NBI-IAID revealed a network of individuals involved in the operation, including Ian, Jemar Pajarito, and a certain Hanna, all believed to be part of the fraudulent facilitation scheme. A third party, Dahlia Mendez Batiller, visited the NBI office shortly after the arrest of Kaye, allegedly under the instruction of “Hanna” to intervene in the investigation. There is a pattern of coordination with the aforementioned individuals in facilitating illegal recruitment and trafficking activities.

Moreover, a certification issued by Atty. Liza C. Alcera, OIC-Director IV of the Licensing and Regulations Bureau of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), confirmed that neither Kaye Alfaro nor Dahlia Batiller is licensed or authorized to recruit Filipino workers for overseas employment.

As a result, both Kaye Alfaro and Dahlia Batiller were placed under arrest by the Agents of NBI-IAID, apprised of their constitutional rights, and processed according to standard procedure.

Victim Alias “Maria” was also processed by the DSWD Social Worker.

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking reiterates its commitment, in coordination with partner-agencies to combat human trafficking and illegal recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable Filipinos. Authorities remind the public to verify recruitment offers and report suspicious activities through the proper government channels.