MANILA – Ten Filipino victims of human trafficking arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on September 7 following their repatriation from Cambodia, where they were forced to work in an illegal scam hub under abusive conditions.

The Bureau of Immigration’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) said the group, which flew in from Phnom Penh, included six victims in their late twenties, three in their mid-thirties, and one aged 65.

According to their accounts, the victims were lured by traffickers they met online. Eight of them left the Philippines posing as tourists, while two departed as overseas workers but were deceived by recruiters. Upon arrival in Cambodia, their employers confiscated their passports and forced them into online scams involving romance and investment fraud.

Several victims said they were fined between USD 6,000 and 8,800 for refusing to join the operations. They described brutal working conditions, including torture for failing to meet quotas, confinement within a compound, and punishment such as being forced to stand for up to 15 hours without rest.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia acted quickly after receiving the victims’ plea for help, leading to their safe return.

“It is appalling that these Filipinos said no to abuse — and were punished for it. Pinagmulta, pinahirapan, at ikinulong,” Viado said. “We remain steadfast in our mission to protect every Filipino from falling victim to trafficking. Through enhanced immigration checks, inter-agency coordination, and public awareness, we aim to prevent these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.”

The victims underwent immigration procedures upon arrival before being provided with post-care services by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). They were later endorsed to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing cases against their recruiters.