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DMW probes illegal recruitment schemes as Filipinos trafficked in Myanmar scam hubs

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div> </div><p>MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday vowed to probe illegal recruitment schemes as some Filipinos were trafficked in Myanmar to work for scam centers.</p><p> DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the Philippines already has a labor attache in Thailand as they work with their counterparts to rescue Filipinos in Myanmar scam centers.</p><p> “Pinakaimportante dito is we are trying to get to the bottom of this and we are trying to find out kung sino ang nag-recruit sa kanila kasi kailangan natin ito na huwag ma maulit ang nangyari. Paano sila nadala doon through illegal means offshore,” said Olalia in a press briefing.</p><p> “We are willing to file the necessary criminal case at sasampahan natin ang mga nag-recruit sa kanila,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/27/filipina-held-by-scam-hub-operators-in-myanmar-seeks-help-from-ph-gov-t-2216">Filipina held by scam hub operators in Myanmar seeks help from PH gov&#x27;t</a></div><p> Pressed by the media how many Filipinos were still in Myanmar, Olalia said there were still “some” individuals still stuck in the Southeast Asian nation due to lack of necessary documents to leave.</p><p> “Pag mayroong ire-rescue, nakaantabay lang ang team doon, tayo ay willing to operate with the [Department of Foreign Affairs],” he said.</p><p> “Ang challenge kasi natin ay hindi natin sila mauwi nang walang papeles. Ang karamihan sa kanila ay walang visa at ang kanilang pasaporte ay hindi nila hawak kasi tumakas lang. Kailangan natin tulungan sa document,” he said.</p><p> On Feb. 20, 12 victims who were recruited illegally to work in Myanmar finally came home to the country.</p><p> The victims said they were recruited through Facebook by another Filipino who offered jobs as customer sales representatives in Myanmar, only to be exploited to work as online scammers there supposedly without pay or rest days.</p><p> They were also physically abused, beaten, subjected to electric shocks, and sometimes forced to duck walk, frog walk, jump, and squat for hours.</p><p> This was why Olalia warned Pinoys not to leave the country through illegal backdoor migration, as there are processes that need to be followed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/2/14/filipina-victim-reveals-beatings-abuse-in-myanmar-scam-center-1825">Filipina victim reveals beatings, abuse in Myanmar scam center</a></div><p> “Kinakailangan huwag tourist visa ang gagamitin. Dapat palaging employment visa yan at kung maaari ay dadaan sa proseso nang sa ganon,” he said.</p><p> The Bureau of Immigration earlier also warned that illegal gambling syndicates are now luring Filipinos to work in scam hubs overseas, citing intelligence reports that showed POGOs funding some call center agents to act as &quot;brand ambassadors&quot; to promote the illegal jobs.</p>

<p>The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday vowed to probe illegal recruitment schemes as some Filipinos were trafficked in Myanmar to work for scam centers.</p>

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday vowed to probe illegal recruitment schemes as some Filipinos were trafficked in Myanmar to work for scam centers.

DMW probes Myanmar scam centers recruitment preying on Filipinos

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DMW probes Myanmar scam centers recruitment preying on Filipinos

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 07, 2025 04:41 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 07, 2025 05:04 PM PHT

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Department of Migrant Workers

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