MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Saturday the repatriation from Myanmar of four Filipinos who were recruited by a compatriot to work as customer service representatives of a company engaged in online scams.
The Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) said in a news release that the latest batch consisting of two women and two men arrived June 26 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
The victims, all in their 30’s, admitted leaving the country as tourists bound for Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan. They were then transported to Myanmar via boat.
“It’s sad to hear that our own kababayan (compatriot) facilitates the trafficking other Filipinos. Dinadala pa sa kapahamakan ang kababayan nila (They put the lives of their compatriots in danger),” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
The victims said they paid hefty penalties (about PHP127,000) before they were released.
Two did not receive their last salaries.
“We are now grappling again with the recurring scheme that has victimized many unsuspecting Filipinos,” the BI chief said. “But we will not cease enforcing strict departure protocols and launching a strong communication campaign aimed at informing the public to combat this recurring modus.”
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