A Filipino human trafficking victim returned to the Philippines from Myanmar where he suffered from torture and other physical violence, including food deprivation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday, June 17.

In a statement, the BI did not identify the Filipino.  It said the victim left the Philippines to visit his sister who works in Macau.

It said the the victim met a Filipino through a Facebook group for the Filipino community in Macau. Subsequently, the victim boarded a flight sponsored by a Chinese company from Macau to Bangkok, then traveled from Bangkok to Myanmar via boat, it said. 

While in Myanmar, the bureau said “he was physically tortured, subjected to electric shocks, deprived of food, and forced into labor without any compensation.” 

“The victim also disclosed that, half a year later, he was transferred to another company. Despite not enduring physical abuse, he was compelled to work for 16 hours everyday,” it also said. 

In his desperation to return to the Philippines, the BI said “he assaulted a Chinese colleague and got expelled from the company.”

Thereafter, the BI said the Filipino victim “traveled from Myanmar to Bangkok by boat, paying for the cost of travel himself.”

“May this be a stern reminder to all Filipinos: Do not entangle yourselves in illegal job offers abroad. Avoid any shortcuts that might seem convenient but are fraught with danger,” warned BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

“The promises of better opportunities can end up in nightmare of abuse, exploitation, and even death,” Tansingco said.