In a heart-wrenching tale of survival and rescue, twelve Filipinos have been safely brought back to the Philippines after enduring severe exploitation in Myanmar. The victims, who were lured through a deceptive job offer on Facebook, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on February 19, 2025, marking the end of a harrowing journey.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) disclosed that the group was promised positions as customer sales representatives but were instead forced into unpaid work as online scammers. The victims faced brutal treatment, including physical abuse with PVC sticks, electric shocks, and forced to perform degrading exercises like the duck walk and frog jump for hours on end.
Their desperate bid for freedom led them to escape and seek refuge with Myanmar’s military, which facilitated their transfer to a scam center in Thailand’s Tak Province. From there, a coordinated effort by the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Bangkok enabled their repatriation.
Upon their return, a comprehensive support team from various government agencies, including the DMW, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice, and the NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking, greeted them. The team provided essential services such as psychosocial support, legal aid, and financial assistance to help the victims recover and reintegrate into society.
The DMW has issued a stern warning to overseas Filipino workers and job seekers to be vigilant against fraudulent job offers, particularly those found on social media. They urge individuals to verify job opportunities through the official DMW website and report any suspicious activities to the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges and dangers faced by migrant workers and the critical need for robust protective measures and awareness campaigns.