Five Human Trafficking Survivors from Syria Now in Manila on Eve of World Day Against Trafficking 2021

PASAY CITY 30 July 2021 — Five human trafficking survivors from Syria were successfully repatriated by the Department of Foreign Affairs through its Office of the Undersecretary of the Migrant Worker's Affairs, arriving in the afternoon of 29 July 2021 the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

The latest batch of repatriates were all illegally hired to work in Syria after arriving as tourists in Dubai, UAE.

“The report we received indicated that they sought refuge at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus because of the abuses they received from their employers, not to mention the poor working conditions,” stated Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola.

“We are holding to account those who perpetrated the crime of trafficking-in-persons against our kababayan. We also guarantee that the survivors will be given due assistance in the filing and prosecution of criminal complaints,” added the Undersecretary.

Trafficking-in-persons is a crime punishable under the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons act under Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA 10364, while acts of lllegal Recruitment are prohibited under Republic Act 8042, as amended by RA 10022.

“The DFA is one with the government in listening to the voices of our TIP survivors. We are here to learn from their experiencces and we recognize them as key actors in the whole-of-government fight against human trafficking,” concluded the Undersecretary.

The DFA is extending reintegration assistance to these victims of human trafficking.

The DFA is a member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) together with the Department of Justice (DoJ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP). 

World Day Against Trafficking 2021 (WDAT2021) is commemorated today, 30 July.” END