The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now assisting more than 200 Filipinos who want to return home from so-called “scam farms” in Myanmar. Many of them fell victim to fraudulent jobs that later turned into online scam operations.
According to the DFA, as of October 24, there are 222 active requests for repatriation. Of this number, 66 Filipinos have escaped and crossed to Thailand, while nine are currently under the protection of the embassy in Yangon.
The DFA continues to coordinate with Myanmar officials to organize the deportation process of Filipinos in temporary holding camps. At the same time, they are also assisting compatriots still trapped inside the scam compounds.
According to reports, many Filipinos are offered good jobs but upon arrival are forced to work in scam operations, working long hours, earning low wages (equivalent to approximately ₱10,000 to ₱15,000 per month), and experiencing abuse and imprisonment.
In April 2024, 12 Filipinos who were also victims of a similar operation in Myanmar were rescued and repatriated. In March 2025, 176 Filipinos were repatriated from Myawaddy, Myanmar.
