From the Website of PNA
links https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1254535
PH steps up rescue, repatriation of trafficked OFWs in scam hubs
MANILA – The Philippine government, through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
In a media briefing Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reminded those seeking foreign employment to always follow the process and call the DMW when in doubt.
He also noted how even professionals are now being victimized by scammers and illegal recruiters.
“Maraming biktima ngayon na mas mataas na yung educational attainment, college level. So nagtatakam kami bakit sila pumapatol doon (There are many victims now who have higher educational attainment, college level. So we wonder why they are going there),” he said.
“Kailangan dumaan sa DMW. Kasi ang modus nito ng mga scam hubs, gigisahin ka sa sarili mo ng mantika pag nagreklamo ka (You have to go through the DMW. Because the modus operandi of these scam hubs is they will twist the narrative to make victims feel trapped).”
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said nearly 100 Filipinos are currently believed to be stranded in so-called "scam farms" in the border areas, specifically between Thailand and Myanmar, including Laos and Cambodia.
He said many of these scam hubs and human trafficking victims were lured by false job offers posted online.
“Despite our repeated warnings, some of our kababayan still fall for fake online job offers. They are told they can work in Thailand without a visa as computer experts or guest relations officers, but it’s a trap,” de Vega said in Filipino.
“Once they arrive, they are brought elsewhere and forced into scamming operations.”
The DFA said that as of July 7, at least 118 Filipinos await repatriation, including 75 from Myanmar, 30 in Thailand, six in Cambodia, and seven in Laos.
Of the 75 in Myanmar, 14 are already in the process of being transferred to safety.
De Vega said ongoing repatriation efforts are being complicated by the location of victims, especially those in areas controlled by non-state armed groups.
Meanwhile, between Jan. 1 and July 15 this year, the DFA said it has responded to 480 cases of trafficking and assistance-to-nationals (ATN) incidents in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Cacdac confirmed that the Department of Justice has filed charges in at least two to three cases involving local recruiters tied to scam hubs, adding that the DMW is working closely with the Department of Justice on this.
Meanwhile, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Patricia Yvonne Caunan reminded job seekers to be wary if someone offers work abroad but under a tourist visa.
“So, yun palang dapat nagtataka na sila. At ang request sana namin, meron namang hotlines, yung DMW at yung OWWA. Meron mga opisina. I-check nila kahit dun sa online na website. At saka paulit-ulit din yung kwento ng mga kababayan natin na akala nila meron silang trabaho sa Middle East or sa Europe tapos dito sila mag-end up. Tapos pag nandun na sila, hingi na sila ng tulong sa DFA, sa DMW (That alone should make you doubt. Our request is to call the DMW and OWWA hotlines (1348). We have offices. They can also check online via our websites. These stories have only been repeating, they thought they have work in the Middle East or Europe, and then they will end up there, then when they got there, they will ask for help from the DFA, the DMW),” she said. (PNA)
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