Credits: ABS-CBN
Manila, Philippines — Four Filipino trafficking victims have been repatriated from Myanmar after being coerced into working as customer service representatives for online scams, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced.
The latest group of repatriates, comprising two women and two men in their 30s, arrived in the Philippines on June 26, according to a report submitted to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco.
The victims disclosed that they initially left the Philippines under the guise of tourists heading to Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan. However, they were subsequently transported to Myanmar by boat, where they found themselves trapped and forced into labor.
The victims recounted their attempts to resign from their positions, only to be met with demands for hefty penalties before they could be released. “Two were not able to receive their last salaries, while the other two were made to pay penalties amounting to more than P127,000,” the BI stated.
Commissioner Tansingco revealed that a Filipino recruiter was responsible for facilitating the trafficking of the victims. “It’s sad to hear that our own countrymen facilitate the trafficking of other Pinoys. They are bringing their own countrymen to harm,” he lamented.
Despite numerous warnings from government agencies, human trafficking continues to plague unsuspecting Filipinos, who often fall prey to the deceptive schemes of traffickers. “Trafficked Filipinos are forcibly transported to illegally cross borders to get to a remote location where it would be hard to escape,” Tansingco explained.
The repatriation of these four victims underscores the ongoing battle against human trafficking and the need for continued vigilance and support for those affected by this heinous crime.