10 more Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Repatriated Filipinos arriving in the Philippines from Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, assisted by government agencies, and the Office for Migration Affairs headed by Undersecretary Atty. Eduardo de Vega (7th from left) (DFA-OUMA photo)

MANILA – Ten more Filipinos in Cambodia have been safely repatriated, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday, as it renewed its call to the public to be on guard against dubious overseas job offers online.

The repatriates from Oddar Meanchey Province in northwestern Cambodia returned home with the help of Cambodian law enforcement authorities and the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, according to a DFA news release.

Last week, 26 Filipinos who were working for a company in the same Cambodian province were repatriated upon their request.

READ: DFA repatriates 26 from Cambodia, warns Filipinos anew vs. scam jobs

It was not immediately clear if the Filipinos were victims of human trafficking, but the DFA reiterated its reminder against dubious job opportunities peddled on social media.

“While always ready to extend prompt Assistance-to-Nationals service, the Philippine Embassy urges prudence and discernment among Filipino online job seekers,” the DFA said.

Representatives from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) received the repatriates at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City.

The DFA said the Embassy in Phnom Penh covered the cost of the repatriation using its Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund.

The group was brought to the Cambodian capital on Saturday following a nine-hour land journey.

Upon arrival at the immigration headquarters in Phnom Penh, the Philippine Embassy’s ATN team provided them with hot meals and care packages.

The Philippine Embassy expressed its “profound appreciation to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the favorable attention given to the Philippine Government’s representations.”