13 Filipinos Lured Via Palawan Back Door Rescued From Illegal Recruitment, Human Trafficking

MANILA—A total of 13 Filipinos were rescued from large scale-illegal recruitment and attempted human trafficking to crypto scam hubs to Southeast Asia through back door exit from Palawan.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac reported the successful joint operations of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) that led to the rescue of the victims and arrest of four illegal recruiters and human traffickers in Rizal, Palawan.

The Secretary commended the joint operation as a major law enforcement success in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the protection of Filipinos who fall victim to scam hubs in Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar.

“Ang tunay na solusyon sa ganitong problema ay matibay na law enforcement. Mabuti at naharang agad ang pag-alis bago pa makarating ang mga kababayan natin sa scam hubs abroad. Malaking problema ang naiwasan,” said Secretary Cacdac.

Victims were promised jobs as Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) and spammers, with a monthly salary ranging from USD 800 to 1,000. However, authorities discovered that the actual intent was to deploy the victims to work in the crypto currency scam hubs in Cambodia. Thailand, and Myanmar.

The recruitment was conducted purely through social media, with the perpetrators using a dangerous route: from Manila to Palawan, then through mountains in Rizal, Palawan, down to the shoreline, and by boat to Malaysia to various countries in the Southeast Asia.

The rescued victims were still in Rizal, Palawan for further investigation and filing of cases against the illegal recruiters and human traffickers. The DMW will also provide the victims of all the necessary assistance and support, including job facilitation and financial aid.

Secretary Cacdac, meanwhile, reminded Filipinos to be cautious and vigilant against illegal recruitment and human trafficking schemes, such as going out of the country through back door or illegal exit channel.

“Kapag dinadala na kayo sa bundok, ibinababa sa dagat, at binabangka palabas ng bansa — malinaw na senyales na ito ay human trafficking o illegal recruitment. Umatras na agad. Ang legal na pag-alis para sa trabaho ay sa eroplano, hindi sa likod ng bundok o dagat,” the Secretary ended.

DMW News Release

Cover image: DMW