Manila: A Norwegian national, wanted for child abuse, has been apprehended by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) while attempting to extend his visa in Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, the suspect, identified as Maryath Stig Ljunggren, 42, was intercepted by immigration authorities on October 29 at the BI main office. His arrest follows a request from Norwegian authorities and the appearance of his name in the BI's derogatory database. Ljunggren is wanted by the Oslo Public Prosecutor's Office for committing sexual offenses against a minor family member over a six-year period, from 2014 to 2020, and is also subject to an Interpol red notice.
The Bureau of Immigration's Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) was promptly notified of Ljunggren's case and executed his arrest. In another operation, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reported the interception of passengers suspected of being victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment bound for Cambodia. A report from the BI's travel control and enforcement unit revealed that two male passengers, aged 25 and 37, were stopped on October 29 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. They were attempting to board a flight to Don Mueang, Thailand, and were found with fraudulent employment documents.
One of the men admitted to being coerced into continuing with the travel plan under the threat to his friend's safety in Cambodia. He revealed that he was instructed by his recruiter to pose as a tourist. Both passengers were handed over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation. The BI has reported similar incidents of interceptions involving travelers who were recruited to work in Cambodia under false pretenses.
On the same day, two male passengers heading to Hong Kong via Cebu Pacific Flight 5J110 were intercepted for carrying fake employment documents. They confessed to being recruited online for jobs in Cambodia with a promised salary of USD900 per month. The following day, two female passengers were also stopped before boarding the same flight to Hong Kong, admitting their destination was Cambodia for chat support jobs with a PHP60,000 monthly salary.
Commissioner Viado cautioned the public against falling for online job offers that promise high salaries, emphasizing the risks of trafficking in Cambodia. "Do not risk your life and safety for offers that are too good to be true," he warned. "These criminal networks use deception, fear, and force. The Bureau of Immigration, together with IACAT and our law enforcement partners, will continue to stop these syndicates and protect Filipinos from being victimized."
