Ref. No.: Statement-BKPE-04-2025

BANGKOK, 18 FEBRUARY 2025 - Sixteen Filipino nationals, who were victims of human trafficking by scam hubs in Myanmar, were handed over to Thai border authorities on 12 February 2025 following the round-the-clock work of the Embassy of the Philippines in Bangkok and its attached agencies.

The Embassy sent a team to Tak province to give due assistance to the Filipino nationals while they were under the custody of the Thai authorities from 12 to 18 February 2025. In the afternoon of 18 February 2025, the custody of the 16 Filipinos were turned over to the Embassy, which prepared immediately for the Filipinos' safe and orderly exit from Thailand and repatriation to the Philippines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, stands ready to assist any remaining Filipinos in the area, and will continue working closely with Thai authorities as well as Myanmar authorities, where applicable, to ensure their safety and prompt return to the Philippines. END