By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), together with law enforcement agencies, rescued 13 human trafficking victims and arrested four suspected illegal recruiters in a joint anti-trafficking operation in Palawan on Wednesday.
In a news release Wednesday evening, the agency said the suspects, identified as Rajib Ibrahim Dedik, Romard Amalya Francisco, Ramel Aligno Acojedo, and Feraida Rosario, allegedly enticed Filipino workers with fake offers as customer service representatives (CSRs) and “spammers” in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Applicants were promised a monthly salary ranging from USD800 to USD1,000. However, it was discovered that the victims were intended to be deployed to crypto scam hubs in Southeast Asia.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac vowed to go against illegal recruiters and human traffickers victimizing Filipinos aiming to work abroad to be able to support their families.
“Hindi kami titigil sa paglaban sa mga illegal recruiters at human trafficking syndicates na nanlilinlang sa ating mga kababayang nais lamang magtrabaho abroad para sa magandang kinabukasan ng kanilang pamilya (We will not stop fighting illegal recruiters and human trafficking syndicates who deceive our compatriots who only want to work abroad for the better future of their families),” Cacdac said.
“Patuloy tayo sa ating mga operasyon upang masupil, maaresto, at maipasara ang kanilang mga maling gawain (We will continue our operations to suppress, arrest, and shut down their wrongdoings),” he added.
The DMW said the arrested suspects will be charged with syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment and promoting trafficking in persons.
The DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), meanwhile, called on other victims to reach out to them through its official Facebook page https://web.facebook.com/dmwairtip to avail of free legal assistance. (PNA)
