DMW aids ‘Chinese mafia’ victims

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers is providing assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were recruited by a “Chinese mafia” to work as “scammers” in Myanmar, DMW Undersecretary Hans Cacdac said yesterday.

During a Laging Handa public briefing, Cacdac said the DMW is “closely coordinating” with Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ office as well as with law enforcement agencies and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

He said the DMW is just one of several government agencies extending aid to OFWs in Myanmar.

Hontiveros previously reported that the Chinese mafia promised the OFWs jobs as customer service representatives or data encoders in a call center company, but forced them into a cryptocurrency scam.

According to Cacdac, a number of the human trafficking victims have returned home while some are still in Myanmar waiting for assistance.

Cacdac said the DMW, on orders of Secretary Susan Ople, will extend financial, airport, accommodation, legal and counseling assistance to the OFWs.