MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government has successfully repatriated 176 Filipino victims of human trafficking from Myanmar, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to assist distressed overseas Filipinos.
The victims arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on March 26, 2025, via a government-chartered flight. Their return was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Philippine Embassy, the Office of the Police Attaché, and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bangkok.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, along with Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, and other key officials, welcomed the repatriated victims. Each of them received ₱50,000 in financial aid from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and an additional ₱10,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). They also underwent medical and psychosocial assessments provided by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The government pledged legal assistance and reintegration programs, including upskilling through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Authorities urged the victims to cooperate in the investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for their trafficking. Many of the victims were recruited through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram with promises of high-paying jobs, only to be forced into online scams.
The repatriation effort is part of a broader crackdown on human trafficking networks targeting Filipinos. A total of 206 trafficked Filipinos from Myanmar have been brought home so far, with another 59 expected to return soon. The government urged job seekers to use DMW-verified recruitment agencies and avoid online job offers that do not provide legal contracts, work permits, or visas.