THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the return of three Filipinos — two males and one female — who were repatriated from Cambodia after being forced to work in scam hubs abroad.
The individuals, whose names are withheld in compliance with anti-trafficking laws, arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 via a Philippine Airlines flight from Phnom Penh, Cambodia last June 6.
According to the victims, they departed the Philippines posing as tourists but were in fact recruited for illegal employment overseas. The job offer promised them a monthly salary of USD 1,000, free lodging, and four days off per month.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado revealed that upon arrival in Cambodia, the victims received no proper facilitation or support, exposing them to immediate risk. “Two of them were grateful to have been housed outside the company premises, as this gave them the opportunity to contact the embassy and seek help,” Viado said.
He further disclosed that the third victim endured more severe conditions. One victim was assigned a demanding monthly quota and was fined between USD 1,000 and 2,000 each time she failed to meet it. “It is also deeply concerning that the victims were required to pay the same substantial amount before they were even allowed to resign,” he added.
One of the victims also recounted how he was forced to work as a scammer targeting Pinoys online. He was required to dupe Filipino victims in online betting and in an investment and loan scam on the internet.
“It is deeply concerning that these syndicates are now targeting Filipinos as their victims in both ways—by forcing them to be scammers and tricking their fellow Pinoys,” said Viado. He also urged Filipinos to be wary of suspicious online investment schemes and advised them to report to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) any such attempts to scam or extort them.
The inter-agency council against trafficking (IACAT) provided assistance to the victims upon their return to the Philippines.
