MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed government agencies to prioritize the return of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were victims of human trafficking and forced labor 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 Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Castro said the President’s order is part of a whole-of-government approach, which is key to the successful repatriation of the rescued workers.

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac reported that 346 OFWs are scheduled to return to the Philippines on November 12 via a chartered flight from Bangkok, Thailand.

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 returning OFWs to ensure their health and welfare.

The DFA said it continues to monitor the situation in Myawaddy, Myanmar, through the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, following law enforcement operations in scam hub compounds on October 20, 2025.

The embassy has received over 220 active requests for repatriation assistance from Filipinos in scam hub areas and is coordinating with Myanmar authorities to finalize deportation procedures for OFWs in holding camps and facilitate the rescue of those remaining in the compounds, the DFA added.