A group of 12 Filipinos who fell victim to human trafficking in Myanmar has finally made it home! The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced their successful rescue and repatriation on Thursday, bringing relief to their families and shedding light on a growing issue affecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Tricked by a Fake Job Offer 
The victims were recruited through Facebook by a fellow Filipino who promised them high-paying jobs as customer sales representatives in Myanmar. But instead of working in a proper company, they were forced into a scam operation—tricking people online with no pay, no rest days, and no way out.
Abuse, Torture, and a $15,000 Ransom 
The situation was horrific. The victims revealed that they were beaten, electrocuted, and physically abused when they refused to work. When they begged to leave, their employer made an outrageous demand: pay $15,000 or stay trapped!
Desperate to escape, the workers made a daring move—they ran away from the scam city and were later rescued by the Myanmar military.
A Long Journey to Freedom 
The 12 Filipinos were just a few of the 250 victims trapped in Myanmar. Eventually, they were released at the Thai border, where they received help from the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Bangkok.
Finally, on Wednesday, they arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, where they were welcomed home and given medical, psychological, and financial assistance to help them recover.
Government Steps In to Help 
The DMW, Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), and NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA-TFAT) are all working together to support the rescued workers and ensure those responsible for the trafficking are held accountable.
A Warning for Job Seekers 
The DMW is warning Filipinos to be extra careful when accepting job offers online, especially from social media platforms like Facebook. Many traffickers pretend to offer real jobs but end up exploiting their victims. Always check with official government agencies before accepting any job abroad!
This case is a harsh reminder that human trafficking is still a huge problem, but thanks to the bravery of these workers and the efforts of the Philippine government, they are now safe and home. 
