Thirty-nine Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were victims of human trafficking in Lagos, Nigeria, have been repatriated by the Philippine government, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed yesterday.
The group arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR932 today, Monday, August 18, reports The Guardian.
Their return followed coordinated efforts between the DMW, the Philippine Embassy in Abuja, and the Honorary Consulate in Lagos.
One more OFW, a mother who recently gave birth while in custody of Nigerian authorities, remains in Lagos to recover before she can travel.
The repatriated workers were among those arrested during a large-scale raid by Nigerian authorities in December 2024 that targeted cryptocurrency and romance scam operations.
According to reports, they were initially recruited with promises of customer service jobs offering $1,000 monthly pay and free accommodation on a six-month contract. Instead, they were forced into online scam operations, had their passports confiscated, and were subjected to exploitative working conditions.
Philippine officials said the release was made possible through a plea bargaining arrangement facilitated by the Embassy and consular officials.
A delegation from the DMW and the Philippine Embassy visited Lagos yesterday August 17 to finalise arrangements for their return.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, together with the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (HCOWA) led by Chairperson Rep. Bryan Revilla, welcomed the group at NAIA.
Cacdac announced that each repatriated worker received ₱50,000 from the DMW’s Aksyon Fund, temporary shelter from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and immediate access to medical and psychosocial services.
“It is the directive of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that you be able to start anew, and it is our duty at the DMW to strengthen your courage and resilience to begin again,” he said.
The DMW confirmed that the returnees will also be referred to their respective local government units for continued assistance and reintegration support.
