4 trafficking victims back from Myanmar

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco

MANILA, Philippines — Four Filipino trafficking victims were repatriated from Myanmar after being forced to work as customer service representatives engaged in online scams, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Based on a report submitted to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the latest batch of repatriates who arrived on June 26 were two women and two men in their 30s, the BI said in a statement on Saturday.

The bureau added the four admitted they left the Philippines disguised as tourists bound for Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan but were eventually transported to Myanmar on a boat.

READ: 24 ‘trafficked’ Filipinos rescued in Myanmar

Trapped overseas

The victims said they intended to resign but they were made to pay large penalties before they were 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 said.

Tansingco revealed a Filipino was the recruiter of the four trafficking 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 said.

Despite the numerous warnings of government agencies, the bureau said human trafficking persisted as unsuspecting Filipinos fall victims to the recurring scheme 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 said.