Manila: Twelve Filipino human trafficking survivors safely arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR 2622 on Wednesday, following their rescue and repatriation from Cambodia.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Migrant Workers announced in a news release that the group arrived with Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. Cacdac had traveled to Cambodia for the opening of its Migrant Workers Office in Phnom Penh, aimed at strengthening the protection and welfare of overseas Filipino workers in the region. During the event, Cacdac assured the survivors of the government's commitment to assist them in finding alternative means of livelihood to support their families, eliminating the need to return to Cambodia. He emphasized the government's plan to provide opportunities to help the survivors transition and reintegrate into the country.
Upon arrival, the group was welcomed by a joint government team comprising the DMW Central Office and National Capital Region, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA TFAT), and the Department of Justice - Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT). The survivors received immediate airport and financial assistance from the DMW and OWWA, along with onward transportation and temporary hotel accommodations before returning to their respective home provinces. Additionally, they will be provided with legal support as needed.
Among the group was a distressed mother and her baby, who were entrusted to the DMW by the Philippine Embassy for immediate assistance. In light of this incident, the DMW issued a renewed warning to the public, urging caution against responding to unverified job offers, particularly those found on social media platforms. They encouraged job seekers to verify all overseas employment opportunities directly with the government to avoid falling prey to human trafficking schemes.
The DMW reminded the public that illegal recruitment activities and suspicious job offers can be reported to the DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) through its hotlines (02) 8722-1144 or (02) 8722-1155.
