PH exerting 'all efforts' to repatriate 14 Pinoys rescued from Myanmar scam hub
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA Photo)
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assured the families of the 14 Filipinos rescued from a scam hub in Myanmar that the Philippines government is exerting “all efforts” for their safe return to the country.
DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said in a text message to reporters on Thursday, Oct. 30, that they are currently working with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand for the safe passage of the rescued Filipinos.
“The government, through our Embassies in Bangkok and Yangon, is actively coordinating with both Myanmar and Thai authorities to obtain appropriate clearances for our people to be able to cross from Myanmar to Thailand at the earliest opportunity possible,” she said.
“This delicate process has been complicated by the extraordinarily large number of different nationals in the border area,” she added.
This came after reports that the 14 Filipinos currently in Myawaddy, Myanmar after being rescued from the scam hub last Oct. 13 haven’t heard from Philippine embassy officials.
Reports said the Filipinos also couldn’t reach the assistance-to-nationals officers and that they are uncertain if they can cross the border to Thailand to catch a flight back home.
This group of Filipinos is part of the 222 Filipino trafficking victims rescued from a scam hub in Myawaddy.
The DFA has received 222 active requests for repatriation assistance from Filipinos in the scam hub area, with some already crossed to Thailand and others traveled to Yangon to seek shelter at the Philippine Embassy there.
Escalona assured that “our diplomatic personnel have also sought the assistance of our contacts on the ground to extend welfare assistance to the Filipinos.”
“The situation and the safety of our nationals appreciate an abundance of patience and guarded discretion,” she said.