7 Filipino human trafficking victims repatriated from Myanmar

Seven Filipino victims of human trafficking in Myanmar have been successfully repatriated to the Philippines, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

The group, consisting of four women and three men, arrived back in the country on Tuesday, November 25, via a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand.

The BI reported that six of the victims used illegal routes to leave the Philippines, while one posed as a tourist.

One victim shared that she was lured by a Facebook job advertisement for an encoder position in Thailand with a monthly salary of approximately P54,000.

She was initially instructed to travel by boat to Malaysia before being transported to Mae Sot, Thailand, and subsequently taken to Myanmar.

Upon arrival in Myanmar, she discovered her actual work was in the country, not Thailand, and she faced harsh conditions including 16-hour workdays and a penalty for failing to recruit clients.

Her attempt to resign after a month led to her detention, with demands for P40,000 for her release.