photo: DMW
A total of 27 Filipinos, who were victimized by a human trafficking syndicate in Cambodia, returned to the Philippines, Immigration and Migrant Workers officials said.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the 27 Filipinos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 from Phnom Penh on board Philippine Airline flight PR-522.
During the initial investigation, Sandoval said 12 of the 27 of the rescued passengers came from Zamboanga and went to Cambodia through a vessel, Upon reaching the area, the Filipinos were allegedly forced to work as online "love scammers".
For his part, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary Francis Ron de Guzman said the 27 Filipinos were earlier rescued in late September with the help of the Cambodian National Police in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh.
“We are now assisting the victims in filling cases of syndicated illegal recruitment and qualified human trafficking,” said de Guzman.
He said they immediately assisted the victims upon arrival at the NAIA, including transit and transportation assistance to them for their return to their provinces and homes.