At least eight Filipinos were arrested in Myanmar on its border with Thailand after violating foreign immigration-related laws, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

Among those who were eventually detained by Burmese police was Kiela Samson, whose parents called on the government to rescue their daughter after losing in touch with her following her arrest by Myawaddy town police.

This came after Samson boarded a boat in Mae Sot, Thailand before crossing into Myanmar, her family told ANC in an interview.

“Coordination and representations are continuing for eight Filipinos confirmed in the custody of the Myanmar police in Myawaddy for immigration violations,” Ma. Teresita Daza, DFA spokesperson, said Wednesday.

Currently, only Thai and Burmese nationals can cross into each others’ countries on the Mae Sot border three years after it reopened. But it could be done only through the friendship bridge.

It is illegal for foreigners to jump into one country from another through the Moei River. The legal entry points into Myanmar from Thailand are only through the Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports.

According to Daza, the Philippine Embassy in Yangon maintains an active contact with authorities not only in Myawaddy, but also in Nay Pyi Taw “to secure the safety and well-being of the said Filipinos and assist them in returning home the soonest time possible.”

“Myanmar authorities have assured cooperation in this regard,” she added, saying the Filipinos are expected to be able to exit Myanmar for the Philippines after completing the processes of law enforcement agencies primarily immigration.

Recently, DFA assisted the repatriation of several Filipinos found to be working as crypto-scammers in Cambodia and Myanmar. They allegedly entered into the Southeast Asian countries by posing as tourists, among other schemes.