By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Thirty-nine Filipino human trafficking victims repatriated from Lagos, Nigeria, were met by Philippine government officials upon their arrival at the NAIA Terminal 3 on Monday.
They were among those arrested during a large-scale Nigerian government raid in December 2024, targeting cryptocurrency and love scam operations. The victims were lured by the false premise of being customer service representatives, with a salary of $1000 for a 6-month contract.
However, they were subjected to exploitative working conditions and were forced into cyberscams—with their employers withholding their passports and subjecting them to threats.
With the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Abuja and the Honorary Consulate in Lagos, the victims entered plea bargaining to expedite their release. Their repatriation was made possible following the visit of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria last August 17.
Secretary Cacdac said, “Utos ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na makapagpanimula kayong muli at tungkulin namin sa DMW na paigtingin ang inyong mga tibay at lakas ng loob upang makapagsimulang muli.”
Each victim also received P 50,000 in financial assistance from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund and temporary accommodation from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), aside from the immediate medical and psychosocial services, and referral to their respective local government units (LGUs) for further assistance.
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