Over 500 OFWs get aid as crises overlap in Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand

MANILA, December 22 ------ The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said more than 500 overseas Filipino workers in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand are currently receiving government assistance after they were affected by natural disasters, border tensions, and those victimized by human trafficking.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured the government is responding to various crises involving Filipinos overseas, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. “Medyo nag-abot-abot ang tatlong scenarios in Thailand,” Cacdac said. “So, ito na yung isang nag-abot na sitwasyon. Yung scam hub situation at yung Thai-Cambodia border conflict. In November, there were strong rains and massive flooding in southern Thailand."

On Dec. 12, at least 71 OFWs were repatriated from Myanmar-linked scam operations. However, Cacdac said around 100 others remain stranded on the Myanmar side of the border, particularly in the Miyawadi area, and are awaiting coordinated transfer to Thailand before they can be brought home. He, however, noted the improved border coordination between Myanmar and Thailand, allowing for more orderly crossings under government-to-government arrangements.

In Cambodia, 56 Filipinos who were rescued from scam hubs near the Thai-Cambodia border are now in safer locations and undergoing repatriation processing. Cacdac said that of this number, 22 are expected to return to the Philippines within the week, with the rest to follow through arrangements led by the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh. Meanwhile, on the Thai side of the border, Cacdac said the response has focused on in-country evacuation rather than repatriation.

He said around 259 teaching and non-teaching personnel affected by the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia have been evacuated from the border area and are now safe in evacuation centers, while some are being sheltered by Filipinos in safer ground. “So, binibigyan silang financial assistance. Ngayon bakit ko ine-emphasize yung evacuation? They have been evacuated in-country, yes, but they may not be repatriated yet at this stage, pa-uwi naman. So, evacuation, repatriation. So na-evacuate sila. But will they be repatriated? Remains to be seen at this stage kasi they are teachers and non-teaching personnel in schools along the Thai border with Cambodia,” Cacdac said.

He said that when the situation subsides, they may be able to go back to their respective teaching institutions and continue working. Separate assistance is also being extended to 154 Filipinos affected by severe flooding in southern Thailand in November. Cacdac said that although no injuries were reported, many workers experienced job disruptions and damage to personal property, prompting continued support from the Philippine labor and consular office. Meanwhile, Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) officer-in-charge Geraldine Mendez said the scale of trafficking cases remains a major concern.

She said that from January to November this year, the MWPB recorded about 1,073 Filipino trafficking victims from Myanmar alone. Across Myanmar, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, the total number of trafficking victims reached 2,021 this year, largely involving scam hubs and forced criminality. Meanwhile, she said the DMW MWPB is closely monitoring Malaysia and South Korea. “Ngayon po mga binabantayan natin ay Malaysia pa rin po on sexual exploitation, sexual trafficking, and Korea for labor trafficking din sa ating mga seasonal farm workers,” Mendez said.

Source: pna.gov.ph