7 Pinoys flown home from Laos cyber scam operation

MANILA, Philippines — Seven Filipinos, among those arrested for working for a company allegedly involved in cyber scam operations in Laos, have been brought home.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said at least 75 more distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be repatriated.

“So far, we have responded to 129 requests for assistance and already repatriated seven Filipinos today,” the DFA announced yesterday.

“The embassy is currently arranging the repatriation of 75 more Filipinos. The team stands ready to assist Filipinos who may still be in the Golden Triangle, and will continue to work with Lao authorities to ensure their safety,” it added.

The DFA gave assurance that it has been working since the crackdown on illegal companies within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) – located in Bokeo Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic – commenced last week.

“The Philippine embassy in Vientiane is working closely with Lao authorities, and has also sent a team to Bokeo province to facilitate the release and extraction of distressed OFWs from the GTSEZ,” its statement read.

The DFA added that it is also funding their flights from Bokeo to Vientiane and onward to the Philippines, including accommodation, food and basic needs.

Two officials from the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs are now in Laos to assist as part of the DFA’s rapid response team.

The Laotian press said 771 people from 15 countries were arrested on Aug. 12 at the GTSEZ – which has emerged as a suspected hub for illegal activity in recent years – adding that those arrested in the crackdown were mostly from Laos, Myanmar and China and were later handed over to their respective embassies.

Aside from the Philippines, also reportedly included are people from Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Tunisia, Uganda and Vietnam.

The sprawling economic zone hosts a number of Chinese-owned casinos and hotels. It has seen a rapid surge in illicit activities since it was set up in 2007, including drug smuggling, gambling and associated criminal activities, global non-profit organization Crisis Group wrote in a report last year. — Rhodina Villanueva