35 repatriated OFWs arrive in PH in time for New Year

Thirty-five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Cambodia safely returned to the Philippines on New Year’s Eve as part of the government’s efforts to assist victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and scam hub operations.

In a statement, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said 34 OFWs were human trafficking victims while one was sent home after serving time in prison for a money laundering-related case.

The OFWs arrived in three batches at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday, December 31 from Phnom Penh and via transit flights.

“Their safe repatriation was achieved through the coordinated efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Singapore and Thailand,” the DMW said.

The first batch, consisting of eight OFWs who were human trafficking victims, arrived via an Air Asia flight from Kuala Lumpur.

The second batch, also consisting of eight human trafficking victims, also arrived at the NAIA via an Air Asia flight from Kuala Lumpur.

The third batch was composed of 18 human trafficking victims and the OFW released from prison. The third batch arrived via a Philippine Airlines direct flight from Phnom Penh.

The repatriated OFWs were aided in Phnom Penh by DMW Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi and officials of the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, who facilitated immediate financial and welfare support for the OFWs prior to their return to Manila.

Upon their arrival at the NAIA, the OFWs were welcomed by DMW Assistant Secretary Maria Regina Angela Galias in coordination with the AKSYON Unit, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA-TFAT).

The agency reminded Filipinos anew to be cautious and vigilant against possibly fraudulent job offers, especially those shared on social media platforms.

The DMW urged jobseekers to verify the legitimacy of overseas employment opportunities and to ensure that such offers are properly approved and registered with the DMW. — JMA, GMA Integrated News