125 OFWs in ‘Golden Triangle’ cyber scam hubs in Laos back in PH

One hundred twenty-five (125) overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who fell victim to cyber scam centers in Laos, return to the Philippines, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA said their repatriation started on August 24, 2024, with the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane,  its Rapid Response Team, and Laotian authorities leading the processing of their travel documents and exit clearances. Photo from their Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — One hundred twenty-five (125) overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who fell victim to cyber scam centers in Laos, have been sent back to the Philippines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said their repatriation started on August 24 with the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane,  its Rapid Response Team, and Laotian authorities leading the processing of their travel documents and exit clearances.

The DFA said the OFWs got entangled in the operations of cyber scam centers at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos’ Bokeo province.

“The Embassy also provided accommodation in Bokeo and Vientiane, and attended to their medical and other needs,” the DFA said in a statement Friday.

READ: DFA repatriates 7 Filipinos, but 75 others still in ‘Golden Triangle’

“The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, with the assistance of their Office of the Police Attache (OPA), has been supporting the operations through transit airport assistance for the repatriates and continuous coordination with Thai border authorities,” it added.

Philippine Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Deena Joy Amatong extended her well wishes to the repatriated Filipino workers and hoped they would be able to find legitimate work opportunities.

Amatong also urged them to help Philippine authorities prevent illegal recruitment and trafficking of persons.

She likewise gave assurance to the victims that the DFA is coordinating with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and other Philippine agencies “to ensure their safety and welfare back in the Philippines.”