190 Filipino trafficking victims from Cambodia return home

One hundred ninety Filipinos who were victims of human trafficking from Cambodia arrived home in the Philippines on Thursday morning, 5 February.

The repatriated individuals landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 at 4:03 a.m. aboard a Philippine Airlines chartered flight (PR 9222).

They were welcomed by Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, along with officials from partner agencies, including the Overseas Workers Welfare Association, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Justice, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police.

“I would like to thank our whole-of-government approach, which was raised by our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to assist our overseas Filipino workers, particularly those who are victims of scam hubs in Southeast Asia—especially Cambodia and Myanmar, and sometimes Laos. We are thankful that they are home,” Cacdac said during a press briefing at NAIA Terminal 1.

“We are here to give assistance to OFWs affected by scam hub operations and crackdowns in Cambodia. There were originally 191, but one was left behind for medical treatment in Phnom Penh,” he added.

Cacdac also thanked Cambodian authorities for their cooperation in the repatriation efforts.

“As you know, we were asked by the President to build a labor office in Cambodia. I would like to thank the Cambodian authorities for their help in the law enforcement operations that are currently taking place,” he said. “It’s a good thing that we have a good relationship with Cambodia, and that our ambassador there is active.”

Apart from hotel accommodation and transportation back to their home provinces, the repatriated OFWs will receive financial and livelihood assistance from the government.

“We are also working in tandem with the DOJ and the IACAT for the proper investigation and documentation of the workers,” Cacdac said. “What is important now is that we bring them back safely to their families. But first things first—we will conduct the investigation and documentation.”

The DMW also reminded the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to illegal recruitment.

“Sometimes there are fake licenses. Another red flag is when recruiters do not have an office. If everything is mysterious—if you don’t know who they are, where their office is, and you only meet them in restaurants or public places—you should be suspicious,” Cacdac said.

“Some illegal recruiters don’t even ask for money, but in reality, there is a syndicate behind them. They are already being paid by that syndicate,” he added.