By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
From repatriating scores of Filipinos duped into entering Myanmar by international human trafficking syndicates to a wide-open southern backdoor to Malaysia, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has its hands full.
Immigration Chief Joel Viado says the country lacks a specific law penalizing illegal departures — forcing authorities to rely on related offenses like document falsification. He wants stricter measures, arguing that criminalizing illegal exits would deter traffickers and stop more Filipinos from falling victim. He also points to border security gaps, especially in southern coastlines, where small boats sneak people in and out with ease.
Not too long ago, former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo slipped out of the country through the Tawi-Tawi backdoor while evading arrest over her ties to illicit POGO operations. And even Harry Roque — now seeking asylum in The Netherlands — managed to fly to the Middle East without any official departure record.
Clearly, border controls are weak, human trafficking remains rampant, and high-profile figures escape unnoticed. No wonder Viado wants tougher penalties for Filipinos leaving illegally.
But here’s another problem: those who illegally leave the country often benefit from government-funded repatriation programs — at the expense of law-abiding OFWs.
When legal overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) face problems abroad, it is their recruitment agencies — not the government — who shoulder repatriation costs, including airfare and necessary expenses. This is because legal OFWs go through a rigorous process, pay their dues, and comply with government regulations.
In contrast, those who sneak out through illegal routes sidestep this system entirely. When they land in trouble — whether falling prey to human traffickers or being caught in illegal employment schemes —there’s no recruitment agency to back them up. And who ends up footing the bill? The Philippine government. Resources meant to assist OFWs who follow the rules are instead being diverted to rescue those who deliberately bypassed the legal system.
That’s not just an operational problem — it’s a fundamental unfairness to the millions of OFWs who go through the right channels, pay employment fees, and contribute to the economy. Meanwhile, those who cut corners not only avoid these obligations but also become an additional financial burden on the government.
Of course, desperation is often the reason why some Filipinos resort to illegal exits. Many see it as their only way out of poverty, a means to provide for their families. That reality deserves empathy. But allowing illegal departures to continue unchecked only fuels crime, exploitation, and government inefficiency.
If authorities truly want to fix this, they need to go beyond punishing those who leave illegally. They must hold traffickers accountable, shut down backdoor escape routes, and ensure that those who follow the law aren’t the ones getting shortchanged.
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