27 trafficked Pinoys to receive DMW aid

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino victims of human trafficking in Cambodia will receive financial and other support from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

In a statement yesterday, the DMW said that apart “from legal and psychosocial assistance, the department is committed to providing additional financial and reintegration support to the victims.”

Upon the overseas Filipino workers’ arrival, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided the OFWs transportation, transit and accommodation assistance.

The agency also reported that it is coordinating with Department of Justice prosecutors in prosecuting cases of syndicated illegal recruitment and qualified human trafficking.

Last October, DMW representatives visited the human trafficking victims in Cambodia and extended psychosocial assistance as well as took statements for the filing of appropriate complaints.

The Cambodian National Police facilitated the rescue of the 27 OFWs while Caritas Cambodia provided shelter during the processing of their exit documents.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine embassy in Phnom Penh took the lead in the rescue and repatriation of the 27 OFWs.

Early this year, Sen. Risa Hontiveros reported that Filipinos are being recruited by human trafficking syndicates to work as call center agents, but these OFWs end up as crypto scammers in Cambodia and Myanmar.