Gov’t should check if human traffickers among rescued OFWs, says DOJ

The Philippine government should look into whether there are human traffickers among Filipinos repatriated from abroad to prevent others from falling victim, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official said Monday.

During a public briefing, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty floated the idea he learned from the Cambodian government.

“Baka maari nating pag isipan muli yung napaka liberal na approach sa ating kababayan. Ang mga kababayan natin na nalinlang sa isang scam hub sa Cambodia, tinuturing na nating sila biktima, pinapauwi, binigyan ng ayuda at kung anu-ano,” Ty said.

(Maybe we should rethink our approach to our countrymen. We treat Filipinos deceived by a scam hub in Cambodia as victims, repatriate them, and gave them aid.)

“Sa Cambodia, hindi ganun ka simple. Para sa kanila dapat mas suriin ang mga taong nito. Alamin kung sino ba ang biktima, sino ang kriminal, perpetrator. Kaya yun yung isa sa ginagawa natin,” he added.

(It’s not that simple in Cambodia. They scrutinized their people. Investigate who the victims are, and who the criminals and perpetrators are. That’s what we are doing.)

In April, two batches of Filipinos were rescued and repatriated from scam centers in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia.

Also in April, three alleged illegal recruiters were arrested upon their return to the country along with seven repatriated OFWs in Myanmar.

“Maraming kababayan alam na kanilang ang ginagawa. Kung ganyan ang situation, maituturing na ba natin silang biktima ng human trafficking?” Ty said.

(Many of our countrymen know what they're doing. If that is the situation, can they be considered victims of human trafficking?)

“Kung sakaling napauwi na sila ulit, bibigyan pa ba sila ng ayuda o ang mas matindi doon, dapat ba managot sila sa mga ibag pagkakamali na ginagawa nila? He added.

(If they were repatriated, will we give them aid or should they be held accountable?)

According to Ty, there have been 15 cases of human trafficking in the country this year.

Ty urged the public to contact the DOJ Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking if they find dubious job offers through their hotline (1343).

He also warned Filipinos who are planning to engage in human trafficking.

“Yung ibang Pilipino, mukhang alam na nila yung ginagawa nila kaya sana magdalawang isip na kayo dahil baka naman sa sususnod na kayo maharap sa piligro, hindi na kayo ganoon kadali mauwi o baka mas malala pa, magbago na ang turing pamahalaan sa inyo at makita na hindi lang kayo simpleng biktima, kung hindi kayo rin ay mga recruiter o facilitator ng human trafficking,” he said.

(Filipinos who seem to know what they're doing should think twice because the moment you get caught up again, it would be difficult for you to go back to the Philippines or worse, the government may also see you as a recruiter or facilitator of human trafficking.) — BM, GMA Integrated News