A big and serious problem is happening in some countries in Southeast Asia — and many Filipinos are still trapped because of it.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are Filipinos who were tricked into working in scam centers. These places look like regular offices but are actually illegal operations where workers are forced to scam other people online.
The sad part? No one knows exactly how many Filipinos are still stuck inside these scam farms.
These Are Not Real Jobs 😢
Many of these victims thought they were going abroad for honest, legal work—like in offices or customer service. But when they got there, they were kidnapped, trapped, or even sold to criminals running scam businesses.
The scam centers are mostly found near borders of countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.
Families Asked to Speak Up
The DFA said they are already working hard to bring these Filipinos home. They’re also asking families in the Philippines—especially those whose relatives are working in those countries—to come forward and help by giving real, confirmed information.
They said:
“We are doing everything we can to rescue and bring back every Filipino who is working in these illegal scam offices.”
Trafficking Is Getting Worse
In the past three years, bad people called traffickers have tricked and hurt people from many countries—not just the Philippines. They forced them to work in scam farms that keep growing in places like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Hannah Lizette Manalili, the head of the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking, said the entire Southeast Asia region needs to work together to stop this problem. She said countries need to share information, work faster, and stop these traffickers before more lives are ruined.
She also said that the Philippines has sadly become a “source country” — which means a lot of traffickers now target Filipinos for illegal jobs related to gambling and crime.
What the DFA Is Doing
To help, the DFA has told all Philippine embassies and consulates in ASEAN countries to:
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Use their resources to help rescue Filipinos in danger
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Work closely with local governments in those countries
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Help stop more Filipinos from being recruited into these traps
They also reminded our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) around the world to watch out for fake job offers, and to always report any shady activities to authorities.
It’s a Human Rights Crisis 😨
The United Nations (UN) said this is now more than a big problem—it’s a full-blown human rights and humanitarian crisis. That means thousands of people’s safety, rights, and lives are at risk.
UN experts—Tomoya Obokata, Siobhán Mullally, and Vitit Muntarbhorn—reported that many victims are still stranded in dangerous places, especially at the border between Myanmar and Thailand, with very little food, water, or help.
Some Have Been Saved
In May, Filipino officials were able to rescue more than 200 Filipinos from illegal scam hubs in Myawaddy, Myanmar. These victims were brought home safely.
Sadly, many others are still stuck.
Some victims were sold from one scam company to another, after being promised real jobs. Now they are trapped, scared, and unsure if they’ll ever get back home.
Warning from the DFA
To avoid this nightmare, the DFA is warning all Filipinos to never accept jobs abroad without going through the proper government channels. They said everyone should first register with the Department of Migrant Workers before leaving the Philippines.
What You Can Do
If you think someone you love is working in a scam center, or if you know someone planning to accept a shady job offer abroad, speak up now. You could help save a life.
The DFA says:
“Together, we can stop the victimization of Filipinos and protect our people from being forced to commit crimes they never signed up for.”
