BANGKOK, Thailand — At a heavily guarded compound in Myawaddy, Myanmar—just across the border from Thailand—dozens of Filipino human trafficking victims are refusing to return to work under threats of torture. Their forced job: running online scams targeting people across the world, from the United States to Singapore, Thailand, and even their fellow Filipinos.
These victims are among thousands of men and women trafficked from over 60 countries, lured by fake offers of high-paying tech jobs in Thailand’s booming IT industry. Instead, they’ve been trapped in a vast cyber scam network run by Chinese criminal syndicates that operate freely in lawless zones inside Myanmar.
18 Filipinos Rescued, 179 Still Trapped
On Friday, July 25, a breakthrough came as 18 Filipinos were rescued from the KK 3 Park compound in Myawaddy by the Border Guard Force (BGF) following coordinated talks between the Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victims Assistance (CSNHTV) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA).
These survivors are now in temporary custody and awaiting release with help from embassies and foreign missions. Col. Dominador Matalang, former police attaché of the Philippine Embassy, is leading efforts to track, support, and repatriate Filipino victims.
Still, at least 179 trafficking victims remain detained, including 14 Filipinos at the notorious Hexin compound, along with others from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ethiopia.
One Filipina, Julia (not her real name), tearfully recounted the plight of her sister, who was trafficked into Hexin just months after giving birth.
“She cries every time we talk. She wants to die,” said Julia.
Other families from Pakistan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania shared similar heartbreaking stories — loved ones missing for over a year, extorted by fake NGOs, or trapped in inhumane conditions.
Survivors and their families described severe physical and psychological abuse: beatings, electrocution, sexual assault, starvation, solitary confinement, and even threats of organ trafficking. Some victims were forced to do military drills or carry heavy loads as punishment. Women who became pregnant during captivity suffered miscarriages or postpartum depression.
Most scam compounds operate in territories controlled by ethnic armed groups like the DKBA and BGF, where Myanmar’s central government has little to no authority. Some of these groups are even suspected of profiting from the operations.
Rescue efforts are further hindered by the lack of diplomatic coordination. Many countries—including the Philippines—lack embassies in border towns like Mae Sot, Thailand, slowing urgent responses. Even when victims are located, delicate negotiations with armed factions are often needed before rescue can begin.
CSOs and families recently petitioned the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) for help. On July 25, the commission held an emergency Zoom meeting with the United Nations Human Rights Office, civil society groups, and victim families to plan urgent interventions.
Even after rescue, survivors must navigate a complex repatriation process. Victims may remain in custody for one to three months, awaiting screening under Myanmar’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM)—a process designed to support trafficking survivors.
Advocates are demanding more efficient coordination among ASEAN governments, civil society organizations, and international agencies to deliver mental health care, legal support, and reintegration services to survivors.
“If we don’t prosecute traffickers—regardless of nationality—this will never end,” one CSO representative warned.
So far, about 300 to 400 victims have been rescued with help from the Royal Thai Government, ethnic armed factions, and NGOs. But the number still trapped is believed to be in the thousands.
The crisis is no longer confined to Myanmar. Trafficking routes pass through Thailand, threatening its reputation as a tourist hub. Earlier this year, the trafficking of a Chinese celebrity sparked outrage, leading to more than 10,000 victims being released under international pressure.
In May 2025, ASEAN adopted Guidelines on the Non-Punishment Principle, urging governments not to criminalize trafficking victims for offenses committed under coercion, such as scamming. Advocates say the region must now elevate the crisis to the highest diplomatic platforms.
What began as isolated scam hubs has grown into a full-scale transnational human trafficking emergency. The stories emerging from compounds like Hexin and KK Park serve as grim reminders of how fast crime can evolve—and how slowly institutions respond.
The families of the victims — Filipinos and others — continue to plead for one thing: rescue before it’s too late.
