Government officials led by DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia and DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, meet with 30 Filipino human trafficking victims as soon as they arrived at the NAIA Terminal 1 on Tuesday, March 25. (photo: DMW)
The Philippine government has repatriated 30 Filipinos who were victimized by a syndicate through illegal jobs in Myanmar, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Tuesday March 25.
DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the victims were as customer sales representatives in Myanmar but ended up as online scammers.
He said the Filipino victims arrived early Tuesday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 and were immediately given the necessary assistance.
Olalia, who led the welcoming of the repatriates along with DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, said the victims were given immediate assistance, including psychosocial services, financial aid, and legal aid from various government agencies.
He said each victim also received P50,000 in financial assistance from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund and P10,000 from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
“All of them will also be referred to DMW's reintegration programs and upskilling training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to help them rebuild their lives,” said Olalia.
“Aside from financial assistance, we will be providing legal assistance to them,” he added.
Olalia revealed that the victims were recruited through WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram.
He then warned the public, particularly the OFWs and job seekers to remain vigilant against fraudulent job offers on social media, particularly cryptocurrency and love scams, known as "pig-butchering scams."
He said applicants may verifying the legitimacy of recruitment agencies or job orders through the DMW website (https://dmw.gov.ph/), and by reporting illegal recruitment activities through the DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau’s official channels and hotline number +63 2 8721-0619.
Meanwhile, the DMW is also ready to welcome and assist the additional 157 Filipino victims who are expected to arrive on a chartered flight on Wednesday morning, March 26.