BARMM police increase security against illegal departures

The Bangsamoro police in the Philippines have increased security to monitor people trying to leave the region through its island provinces. This comes after five Chinese workers from a Philippine offshore gaming operator were arrested while attempting to escape the country illegally. The group was found on March 21 in the waters off Languyan town in Tawi-Tawi province. Their boat had engine trouble, which led to their rescue. The five workers are blacklisted, and two of them are wanted fugitives in China. They were linked to a gaming company that faced a raid in June 2024 for alleged illegal activities, including human trafficking. During the arrest, the police also recovered five sachets of suspected methamphetamine from the workers. Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz stated that they are investigating how these individuals arrived in Tawi-Tawi and what connections they might have. The police are following directives to monitor foreign nationals entering and leaving the area. Macapaz noted that this is the first time they have intercepted foreign nationals trying to exit through this route, referred to as the "back door." Previous rescues in the area have involved potential human trafficking victims heading to Malaysia.