DFA to initiate rescue, repatriation of Filipinos trapped in scam hubs in SEA
Rescue and repatriation efforts are being initiated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for all Filipinos allegedly trapped in different scam centers in Southeast Asia.
(DFA Photo)
The DFA revealed that it continues to receive reports of alleged Filipino human trafficking victims (HTVs) in Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Cambodia.
"We remain committed to the rescue and repatriation of all Filipino HTVs that are working in illegal call centers in the region," the DFA said.
It added that the DFA "persistently devote efforts and resources in extending all possible assistance to our Filipinos in distress, while requesting the authorities of the host countries for their invaluable cooperation."
It also called on Filipinos, including Filipino communities abroad, to support all efforts to prevent all modes of recruitment and victimization of Filipino nationals in schemes that lead to forced criminality and participation in scamming operations.
The DFA asked relatives of Filipinos, who wish to provide verified information on their kin who may be trapped in scam hubs in the vicinity of the Myanmar-Thai border, to reach out to the Philippine embassies in Yangon and Bangkok.
They may contact Yangon PE’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline (+95 998 521 0991), email at [email protected], or through the official Philippine Embassy in Myanmar Facebook Messenger, and Bangkok PE’s Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline +66 81989 7116 or email through [email protected].
"The Philippine government further wishes to reiterate its advice to all Filipinos to pass through the proper deployment procedures established by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other concerned agencies, prior to departing the country for overseas employment," DFA said.