TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – A total of 137 Indonesian citizens have been rescued from human trafficking crimes in Manila, Philippines. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Philippines National Police (PNP) in coordination with Foreign Representatives in Manila, including the Indonesian Embassy, conducted a rescue operation for foreign nationals from various countries working in online scam companies in Metro Manila on June 26 to June 27, 2023.
The operation successfully rescued 2,714 individuals from 18 countries, including 137 Indonesian citizens. Various electronic and communication equipment were also seized.
Regarding the 137 Indonesian citizens, KBRI Manila is currently conducting data collection and interviews for the criminal identification form related to human trafficking. All Indonesian citizens are safe and in good health.
“KBRI Manila continues to coordinate with the Philippine National Police regarding the legal process and repatriation steps to Indonesia,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Previously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also facilitated the repatriation of 14 Indonesian citizens who were suspected to be victims of Human Trafficking from Myanmar on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
The repatriation was a result of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces Headquarters. The Indonesian citizens returned to their homeland using a TNI-AU Hercules aircraft in Yangon after assisting in a humanitarian aid mission in Myanmar.
The 14 Indonesian citizens previously worked for an online scam company in Laukkaing, Shan State, which borders China. They were accommodated at the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon since June 23, 2023. The Indonesian citizens came from North Sumatra, West Java, and Central Java.
Before being repatriated, the Indonesian citizens went through the legal process in Myanmar, including paying immigration fines independently. After the process was completed, they were flown back to Indonesia using a TNI-AU Hercules aircraft on June 27, 2023.
Source : TEMPO.CO