The Philippine government is racing against time to bring home dozens of Filipinos who were rescued from cyber scam farms in Myanmar — victims of false job promises that turned into nightmares.
On Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is working closely with authorities in Myanmar and Thailand to secure exit clearances for the rescued victims.
Philippine diplomats are now arranging the necessary permits so that the Filipinos can safely cross from Myanmar into Thailand as soon as possible.
“This delicate process has been complicated by the extraordinarily large number of different nationals in the border area,” said DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona, describing the difficult rescue coordination on the ground.
A Delicate Mission of Rescue and Hope
According to Escalona, another 14 Filipinos were recently rescued from a scam hub in Hexin, Myanmar — part of a growing number of victims lured into what they thought were legitimate online jobs.
“Our diplomatic personnel have also sought the help of our contacts on the ground to extend welfare assistance to the Filipinos,” she said.
Behind every number is a face — a story of pain, deception, and survival.
Many of the victims were promised stable online work, only to find themselves held captive, forced into scams, and even sold to other fraudulent operations, as confirmed in a United Nations report.
Hundreds Still Waiting for Rescue
The DFA revealed that more than 200 Filipinos have reached out to the government for help in returning home.
As of October 24, 2025, the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar has received 222 active requests for assistance.
Of those, 66 Filipinos have managed to cross safely into Thailand, while nine others are already in Yangon, under the embassy’s care.
The rescue mission continues — quietly but urgently — as diplomats coordinate with multiple agencies and foreign governments to bring every Filipino home.
A Plea for Caution
The DFA once again warned Filipinos to be extremely cautious when offered overseas jobs, especially online.
“All Filipinos are advised to go through proper foreign employment procedures set by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) before leaving the country,” the DFA reminded.
For now, the government’s message is clear: help is on the way, and no Filipino trapped abroad will be left behind.
Each clearance granted, each border crossed, brings another heartbreaking story one step closer to home.
