Manila: A total of 53 Filipino victims of human trafficking arrived in the country on Friday after they were repatriated by the Philippine government. In a news release, the Department of Migrant Workers said the group, which included two persons who are in need of immediate medical attention, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 aboard the Philippine Airlines PR 2622 flight from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
According to Philippines News Agency, the victims were recruited via online platforms with a promise of high salaries but were subjected instead to physical and verbal abuse. The Department of Migrant Workers revealed that the victims were lured to Cambodia via messaging app, Telegram, and were promised salaries ranging from 600 to 1,000 USD along with valid working visas. However, one of the victims disclosed being subjected to abuse, forced to do 300 push-ups, starved, and denied salaries for failing to meet a quota of 26 love scam clients per day.
Among the victims, one suffers from kidney failure and another has a broken clavicle due to a vehicular accident. Upon arrival, all victims were assessed by personnel from the Department of Health and the Manila International Airport Authority medical team. The two individuals requiring medical attention were referred to nearby Department of Health hospitals for free treatment.
One victim recounted being recruited through Telegram by someone known as 'Gigi,' who assured them that the process and documentation were legal. However, upon arrival in Cambodia, they discovered the true nature of their work and attempted to resign, only to be met with threats to their safety and that of their families. The work primarily involved love scams and investment schemes, particularly in cryptocurrency, wherein trust was built with targets to solicit investments.
The victims will receive comprehensive assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers, including psychosocial counseling, reintegration support, and other recovery services, as well as transportation to their home provinces.
