Philippines receives mass repatriation requests from scam victims

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on October 26 said it was finalising the repatriation of Filipinos rescued from scam hub compounds in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

The Philippines receives surge of repatriation requests from scam victims. (Photo: thestar.com.my)
The Philippines receives surge of repatriation requests from scam victims. (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on October 26 said it was finalising the repatriation of Filipinos rescued from scam hub compounds in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

According to the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Yangon has received 222 active requests for repatriation assistance from Filipinos in Myanmar’s scam hub areas, following operations conducted by law enforcement authorities on October 22.

Of the 222, the DFA said 66 were reported to have crossed to Thailand, and nine managed to travel to Yangon and are now under the embassy’s custody.

The DFA said in a statement that the embassy is working with Myanmar authorities to finalise the deportation procedures for those currently in holding camps and to facilitate the rescue of those who remain in scam hub compounds.

The DFA said it was also working with the Department of Migrant Workers and other agencies to ensure the safe repatriation of affected Filipinos through “government-to-government channels,” while coordinating with both Myanmar and Thai authorities to fast-track the process./.

VNA

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