“Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God.”
The UK’s Christian Today reported on the 14th that human trafficking networks are smuggling female victims into Southeast Asia by disguising themselves as Christian missionaries or pilgrims. According to a joint investigation by Philippine and Thai authorities, these trafficking groups are using religious activities as a cover to evade airport surveillance, luring women into sexual exploitation or forced labor.
Recently, three Filipino women, aged 23, 25, and 50, who were attempting to travel from a Thai airport to Singapore, were arrested. They claimed to be Catholic missionaries going abroad for volunteer work, but investigations revealed that the oldest woman was actually leading the trafficking operation. The two younger women had followed under the impression they were going for employment, but were, in reality, victims intended for sexual exploitation.
This case is connected to transnational criminal organizations operating mainly across the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia. These networks organize fake missionary or pilgrimage groups to move their victims.
According to a year-end 2024 report from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, at least 998 victims of human trafficking are recorded annually. Common methods include fake missionary activities, sham marriages, and surrogate pregnancy contracts, while the use of social media to lure victims through promises of high-paying jobs or romance scams continues to rise. Notably, “scam cities” in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand—areas where organized fraud and human trafficking are concentrated—have been identified as major destinations.
In response, religious communities are issuing strong warnings and taking active measures. Father Bryand Restituto of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines criticized the abuse of religious symbols and language, calling it “a betrayal of both faith and humanity.” PREDA, a human rights organization founded by Irish missionary Father Shay Cullen, warned that cases continue to emerge of women lured by fake job offers being taken to Myanmar and subjected to abuse and forced labor.
In Thailand, Sister Marie Agnes Boonsap of the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres leads the “Talitha Kum Thailand” network, providing education, victim support, and social reintegration efforts. Meanwhile, the Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking (PIMAHT)—comprising Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist leaders—has voiced strong support for police crackdowns, vowing to take a firm stand especially against sexual exploitation targeting children and women.
Churches, civil organizations, and schools across various countries are expanding trafficking prevention education and raising awareness about new tactics, such as disguising operations under the appearance of religious activities. (Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper Edited).
Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight. (Leviticus 19:12-13,NIV)
God, please destroy the evil schemes of human trafficking organizations that deceive countless women with false promises of employment and smuggle them into Southeast Asian countries by disguising themselves as missionaries to evade surveillance. With Your truth, rebuke those whose hearts are crooked, who defile Your name with false oaths, and who exploit their neighbors. Lead them to turn away from all injustices committed in secret and to bow before Your righteousness. Deliver those suffering from human trafficking from their crisis, and through the proclamation of the gospel of life, restore Southeast Asia into nations that praise the name of the LORD who has destroyed the power of sin.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
