Philippines to repatriate 187 trafficking victims from Myanmar

The Philippine government is set to bring back around 187 Filipino victims of human trafficking from Myanmar next week. This move follows collaboration between officials from Myanmar, Thailand, and the Philippines. Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega from the Department of Foreign Affairs announced this plan during a hearing at the Senate subcommittee on justice and human rights. The victims will cross over to Thailand through the Friendship Bridge that links the two countries. De Vega stated that the process is moving quickly and could happen as soon as next week. Once in Thailand, the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok will help the victims return home. They will either take a direct flight from Mae Sot or be transported to Bangkok for other flight options. De Vega stressed that Thailand requires repatriated individuals to leave within 24 hours of arrival. The Department of Foreign Affairs has also identified another 62 Filipinos still in dangerous situations in Myanmar. This highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking, which also affects other countries, including China, with even higher victim counts.