Nearly 200 Filipinos escape Myanmar scam hub, others still trapped, tortured

Nearly 200 Filipinos have managed to escape or have been rescued from scam hubs in Myanmar, but many remain trapped, enduring physical abuse and pleading for help.

In JP Soriano’s exclusive report on 24 Oras on Wednesday, among those who were left behind is Myrna (not her real name), who was able to send a distress message to her family despite being closely monitored. 

She shared photos of her bruises and wounds, along with a brief video, revealing the harsh punishment inflicted on those who fail to meet scam quotas.

“Sana po masagip niyo po kami dito kasi hindi na po namin kaya yung ginagawa sa amin dito. Pinaparusahan po kami kapag wala kaming naipapasok na pera,” said Myrna. 

(Please rescue us because we can no longer endure the punishment here. They punish us when we fail to bring in money.)

“Nasa gitna po kami ng bundok hindi po namin alam kung nasaan kami,” she added. 

(We are in the middle of the mountains. We don’t even know where we are.)

EXPLAINER: What are Southeast Asia’s scam centers, and why are they being dismantled?

Myrna’s family initially believed she was going to work in Hong Kong. However, months later, they received a shocking message—she was in Myanmar, trapped in a scam operation.

“Nagulat na lang po kami months na po yung nakalipas may time na nakapag-message siya ang sabi po ay andun daw po siya sa Myanmar,” said Myrna’s sister. 

(We were surprised when she was finally able to message after a few months. She said she was in Myanmar.)

Myrna managed to secretly send messages using a computer inside the scam facility.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through its Office of Migration Affairs, is aware of Myrna’s case and the other Filipinos still trapped in Myanmar.

“We’ll get their identities and solicit their support of Myanmar Authorities kahit hindi controlled yun [even though it’s not controlled] they’re bound to make some ways to extricate them,” said DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega.

The DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) continue to warn Filipinos against accepting suspicious job offers, particularly in countries where entry is visa-free for Filipinos.

De Vega also said that some areas in Myanmar are rebel-held and against the government, so extracting Filipinos could be a challenge. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News