Manila, March 24 -- Another batch of Filipino trafficking victims was repatriated a year after their illegal departure through "backdoor" exit routes.

In a statement Tuesday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said there is a need to intensify monitoring of known illegal departure points, particularly along the country's southern borders.

He said these routes continue to be exploited by trafficking syndicates using small boats to transport victims abroad.

Two trafficking victims - males aged 27 and 30 - arrived in the country at dawn on March 20 from Vientiane, Laos aboard a Philippine Airlines flight, after being recruited for supposed labor opportunities abroad.

Initial investigation showed that the victims d...