23 more victims of illegal recruitment back home from Laos

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The third batch of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking by a syndicate in Laos are back in the country.

The victims –nine women and 14 men– arrived in Manila Thursday morning aboard Philippine Airlines flight number PR733, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) post on Facebook.

Each of them received an immediate assistance.

“Ang matagumpay na pagbalik ng mga Pilipinong ito ay bahagi ng patuloy na pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na protektahan at tulungan ang ating mga kababayang nalalagay sa peligro sa ibang bansa (The successful return of these Filipinos is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to protect and help our countrymen who are in danger abroad),” the OWWA post reads.

The agency also assured that the Philippine government would continue to monitor and extend assistance to OFWs who are in the same situation and ensure their welfare and safety.

On Aug. 25, the first batch of nine OFWs arrived in the country from Laos, while the second batch of 23 individuals arrived on Aug. 28.

The OFWs were among the 73 Filipino victims of human trafficking rescued from scam syndicates located at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, Bokeo Province in Laos.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the workers were promised work as customer service representatives in Thailand but ended up being forced to work as scammers.

Cacdac earlier gave assurance to the Filipino workers rescued from a human trafficking scheme in Laos of full government assistance as they seek justice and rebuild their lives.