PHILIPPINE authorities are building cases against the recruiters of Filipinos who were rescued in a cyber scam hub crackdown in Laos.
At the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Philippine authorities would get the statements of the victims once they had returned to the country.
“DMW is ready to help upon their arrival. … I would call them victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” he said.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac
“We will work with the Department of Justice in filing the necessary charges. We will get the statements of the victims to pinpoint who recruited them here in the Philippines and file the necessary charges,” Cacdac added.
At least 129 Filipinos have sought government assistance so far following the crackdown on illegal companies located within the so-called Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) in Bokeo Province, Lao PDR.
Seven have returned to the Philippines, while about 75 more are being processed for repatriation.
More than 700 foreign nationals were arrested on August 12 at the GTSEZ, which has become associated with illicit activities, including alleged online scam operations and trafficking of foreigners lured on false promises of legitimate work.
At the forum, Cacdac said the Filipino human trafficking victims would receive assistance in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Meanwhile, he warned the public not to fall prey to unlicensed recruiters enticing Filipinos to work in other Southeast Asian countries, like Laos.
“You need to secure a work contract that will go through the DMW for clearance. That is important so that you won’t fall victim to illegal recruiters,” he said.
He emphasized that the visa-free arrangement for Filipinos in select states is only for tourists.
Flying to Southeast Asian countries for employment requires a work visa.
with TMT
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