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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 206 Filipino victims of human trafficking repatriated from Myanmar -- IACAT

206 Filipino victims of human trafficking repatriated from Myanmar -- IACAT

Published Mar 26, 2025 11:16 am

A total of 206 Filipino human trafficking victims have returned to the Philippines this week after being rescued from scam hubs in Myanmar, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) said on Wednesday, March 26.

Filipinos repatriated from Myanmar.jpg

“Ang repatriation ay simula pa lamang (Their repatriation is just the start),” said IACAT Chairperson and Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, in a statement.

“Nananatili ang ating pangako na tutulungan natin ang mga biktima sa kanilang pagbangon at muling pagharap sa kani-kanilang buhay (We will keep our promise to help the victims rise up and face their lives),” Remulla assured.

The IACAT said the 206 Filipinos were repatriated and arrived March 25 and 26 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 where they were met by representatives of various government agencies including the DOJ, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

“Upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga repatriates, ibinigay ng gobyerno ang kinakailangang nilang tulong katulad na lamang ng medical check-up, pagkain, pinansyal, pansamantalang tirahan, at transportasyon (To address the needs of the repatriates, the government provided them with assistance including medical check-up, food, finances, temporary shelter, and transportation),” the council said.

Meanwhile, the council said the DOJ proceeded with the investigation to make sure the illegal recruiters will face justice.

“Sinimulan ito ng BI sa pagsuspinde ng pitong immigration officers na sangkot sa paglabas ng mga biktima patungong Myanmar (This started with the BI’s suspension of seven immigration officers involved in getting the victims to Myanmar),” it said.

Meanwhile, Remulla advised the public to be wary of offers of work abroad.

“Kung ang alok ay dumadaan sa mga backdoor exits o may kahina-hinalang travel arrangements, malaking red flag na po ito (It’s a big red flag if you have to travel through backdoor exits or with suspicious travel arrangements),” he said.

“Huwag tayong magpalinlang sa mga human traffickers na sinasamantala ang ating mga pangarap (Don’t let yourselves be fooled by human traffickers who take advantage of our dreams),” he warned.

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