222 Pinoys in Myanmar seek repatriation

MANILA, Philippines — After a military raid on one of the largest scam centers in Myanmar, 222 Filipinos forced to work in scam hubs in that country have requested for repatriation assistance from the Philippine government, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

As of Oct. 24, the DFA said the Philippine embassy in Yangon had received 222 active requests for repatriation assistance from Filipinos in scam hub areas, 66 of whom were reported to have crossed to Thailand while nine managed to travel to Yangon and are now under the embassy’s custody.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers and other relevant agencies, remains committed to the safe repatriation of affected Filipinos through established government-to-government channels and continues to work with both Myanmar and Thai authorities to expedite the process,” the DFA said in a statement.

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

A report from the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said Myanmar’s soldiers raided KK Park, a well-documented cybercrime hub close to the major town of Myawaddy on the Thai border.

The raids were part of operations that began last month, aimed at fighting rebel groups, preventing illegal border crossings and suppressing online financial fraud and gambling.

The embassy continues to closely monitor the situation in Myawaddy, following operations that were conducted in scam hub compounds on Oct. 20.

Filipinos in scam hubs and their families who wish to request assistance for repatriation may contact the Philippine embassy in Yangon through the following hotlines: +959985210993; +959985210998; +959409883434 (Viber); and +959985210996 or email [email protected].