President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered concerned government agencies to prioritize the repatriation of rescued Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were victims of human trafficking and forced into working in scam hubs in Myanmar.
“Mga na-rescue na OFW mula iba’t-ibang scam hubs sa Myanmar, papauwi na ng Pilipinas. Ito’y ayon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na bigyang prayoridad ang pagbabalik-bansa ng mga OFW maging ang kanilang health and welfare pagdating nila sa Pilipinas,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.
Castro said President Marcos’ order to repatriate the rescued OFWs is part of the whole-of-government approach, which is key to the successful repatriation efforts of the administration.
Castro said Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac has reported that some 346 OFWs are scheduled to return to the Philippines on November 12 via a chartered flight from Bangkok, Thailand.
Various government agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), and the DMW will welcome the OFWs to assure their good health and welfare.
The DFA earlier said it continues to monitor the situation in Myawaddy, Myanmar – through the Philippine Embassy in Yangon – following operations conducted by law enforcement authorities in scam hub compounds on October 20, 2025.
The DFA said the Philippine Embassy has received more than 220 active requests for repatriation assistance from Filipinos in scam hub areas.
The Philippine Embassy is working with Myanmar authorities to finalize the deportation procedures for OFWs in holding camps and to facilitate the rescue of those who remain in scam hub compounds, the DFA statement said. | PND
