176 Repatriated Human Trafficking Victims from Myanmar Receive Assistance

The Philippine government successfully repatriated 176 human trafficking victims from Myanmar. The rescued Filipinos arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on March 26, 2025, via a government-chartered flight.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac led the welcoming of the repatriates, joined by Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado, and other senior government officials.

Their return was made possible through the joint efforts of the Philippine Embassy, the Office of the Police Attaché, and the Philippine Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bangkok. This effort was made in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to assist distressed Filipinos.

Authorities reported that many trafficking victims travel through illegal backdoor routes from Zamboanga to Sabah or use third-country entry schemes through ASEAN nations that do not require visas for Filipinos.

The DMW also urges OFWs and job seekers to use only DMW-verified recruitment agencies and to be wary of online job offers promising high salaries without contracts, work permits, or visas.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa napakahusay na pagsagip at sa ligtas na pag-uwi, nagpapasalamat kami sa partner naming mga ahensiya. Ayon sa ating Presidente Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ay tulungan ang OFWs in distress; mayroon kayong financial assistance sa Pangulo at Kongreso. Katuwang ang Department of Justice (DOJ) para sa pag-sugpo ng illegal recruitment. Hindi ito hihinto kung hindi ito nasusugpo. Kami ay magtatrabaho ng husto upang masugpo ang human trafficking,” Cacdac said.

Each victim received ₱50,000 in financial assistance from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund and ₱10,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). They also received immediate medical and psychosocial support from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DMW will provide legal assistance and facilitate reintegration through upskilling programs with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Justice Undersecretary Ty expressed appreciation for the coordinated efforts of government agencies and international partners, particularly in Thailand.

“Maraming salamat sa nagtulong-tulong, isa na dyan ang Thailand, Embahada sa Thailand, DFA, DMW, at iba pang agencies upang maibalik kayo sa inyong buhay. Sana kung komportable na kayo ay tumulong kayo sa imbestigasyon. Iimbitahin kayo ng DMW at mga kasamahan sa lawenforcement; huwag matakot sabihin niyo kung sino ang nambiktima sa inyo. Lahat ng aspeto ay tinitignan” Ty said.

Cacdac emphasized the vital role of the newly established MWO in Bangkok, which coordinated with the Philippine Embassy and the Office of the Police Attaché in repatriating the victims.

The government has so far repatriated 206 Filipino victims from Myanmar’s scam hubs, with another 59 expected to return soon. Victims were recruited through WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram for supposed customer sales representative jobs but were forced into online scamming operations.

The whole-of-government team responsible for the victims’ return includes the DFA, DMW, OWWA, DOH, DSWD, Bureau of Immigration, DOJ, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.