23 Pinoys in Laos awaiting repatriation

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 23 Filipino victims of human trafficking are still waiting to be repatriated from Laos, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported yesterday.

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said they have listed 75 Filipino victims of human trafficking in Laos. Of the number, 52 have been repatriated.

“Some 52 victims have been given different forms of assistance, including psychosocial services and legal aid,” Olalia reported during the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing.

Olalia said the DMW also extended financial assistance to the human trafficking victims to encourage them to stay in the Philippines.

But for those still aspiring to work abroad, Olalia said the DMW would refer the rescued victims operating at the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos to licensed agencies with valid job orders.

The government is getting testimonies to identify and prosecute those behind the human trafficking rings, he said.

The Filipino workers were offered employment as customer service relations officers, but ended up with different jobs in Laos.

“The job offer does not match with their actual job there. That’s when they found out they were victims of human trafficking, hence they asked for help,” Olalia noted.

He said the government has also repatriated victims of human trafficking from Myanmar.

Olalia said the government has identified the “backdoor” being used by human traffickers, and measures are being undertaken to curb the illegal activity.