The Philippine government said it is fast-tracking the return of 14 Filipinos, including a pregnant woman, who were freed from an online scam compound in Myanmar last week.
The group is currently staying in a safe shelter operated by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) in Myawaddy after being rescued on October 23 from a facility in Hexin. The area is part of a region known for trafficking foreign workers into cybercrime operations.
They were among hundreds of individuals from various countries extracted when the DKBA stormed KK Park, a suspected major base for online scam networks in Southeast Asia.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assured the victims’ families that efforts are underway to bring them home. The Philippine embassies in Bangkok and Yangon are jointly coordinating with authorities to secure the clearances needed for the group to cross into Thailand.
“All efforts are being exerted towards their safe return back to our country,” the DFA said, stressing that the process is complex due to the large number of foreign nationals currently gathered in the border zone.
DFA spokesperson Angelita Escalona said embassy teams have mobilized assistance on the ground to ensure the rescued Filipinos receive needed support while waiting for clearance. “The situation and the safety of our nationals appreciate an abundance of patience and guarded discretion,” she said.
Escalona added that embassy personnel “have also sought the assistance of our contacts on the ground to extend welfare assistance to the Filipinos” as diplomatic work continues to facilitate their exit from Myanmar.
