MANILA: A total of 346 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were victims of human trafficking and forced labour in online scam hubs in Myanmar were repatriated by the Philippine government on Wednesday (Nov 12), the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.
In a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the group was the largest single batch of repatriates so far from Myanmar.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said all 346 were generally in good spirits and will be provided with psychosocial counselling and a medical check-up by the Department of Health (DOH).
"So the situation now is that the people, the 346, generally in good spirits, We met them, of course, and delivered our assurances of support, mainly transportation and accommodation assistance,” he said.
The returnees arrived at the NAIA Terminal 1 aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR8502 at around 3.25 pm and will be led to an undisclosed and secured holding facility.
Cacdac said the repatriation was conducted under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to bring home all Filipinos trafficked to Myanmar and other neighbouring countries. - Bernama/PNA
