The Philippine government is taking steps to bring home more than 200 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were rescued from a scam hub in Myanmar, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Filipinos have already crossed the border into Thailand. While their exact return date has yet to be determined, coordination is ongoing between the DMW and Thai authorities for their repatriation.
Many of the victims lost their passports and are now undergoing documentation procedures before they can be sent home. Cacdac also confirmed that nine Filipinos have already reached Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, while reports on the total number of affected individuals continue to come in.
The DMW urged anyone with information about the scam syndicates or Filipino victims still trapped in Myanmar to immediately report to the department.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed police units to track down illegal recruitment networks involved in trafficking Filipinos to scam hubs. The PNP is also working closely with its ASEAN counterparts to identify those funding the transnational scam operations.
