By Marita Moaje
MANILA – Twelve Filipino human trafficking survivors safely arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR 2622 on Wednesday, following their rescue and repatriation from Cambodia.
In a news release, the Department of Migrant Workers said the group arrived with Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, who travelled to Cambodia for the opening of its Migrant Workers Office in Phnom Penh, to strengthen the protection and welfare of overseas Filipino workers in the region.
“Tutulungan po namin kayo na mabigyan ng ibang options para kumita at masuportahan ang pamilya ninyo, upang hindi na ninyo kailangang bumalik sa Cambodia (We will assist you to have other options to earn and be able to support your family, so that you will not need to go back to Cambodia anymore),” Cacdac assured the survivors.
He said the government would provide them with opportunities to help them transition and reintegrate into the country.
Upon arrival, the group was received by a joint government team composed of the DMW Central Office and National Capital Region, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIA TFAT), and the Department of Justice – Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT).
The repatriates were provided with immediate airport and financial assistance from the DMW and OWWA, as well as onward transportation and temporary hotel accommodations before they return to their respective home provinces.
The DMW said they will also be provided with legal support.
Included in the group were a distressed mother and her baby, who were endorsed to the DMW by the Philippine Embassy for immediate assistance.
Meanwhile, the DMW cautioned the public anew against responding to unverified job offers, especially those posted on social media platforms, while urging job seekers to verify all overseas employment opportunities directly with the government to avoid being victimized by human trafficking schemes.
Illegal recruitment activities and suspicious job offers can be reported to the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) through its hotlines (02) 8722-1144 or (02) 8722-1155. (PNA)
