25-2-2025 (MANILA) 3 Filipinas have revealed their traumatic experiences of torture and exploitation at a cryptocurrency scam operation in Myanmar, where they were held against their will under horrific conditions.
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army’s special forces orchestrated a dramatic rescue operation after receiving intelligence from a Kenyan escapee who had managed to alert a journalist about their dire situation. The operation led to the liberation of numerous victims from various nationalities, including workers from Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
One survivor, identified only as “Jenny” for protection, recounted the barbaric treatment she endured, including being bound with adhesive tape across her mouth, shackled, and suspended by handcuffs. “The despair was so overwhelming that I found myself repeatedly bashing my head against the bed, silently begging for death,” she disclosed, her voice trembling with emotion.
The ordeal began when Jenny and her compatriot “Ai” were deceived by a supposed friend’s offer of legitimate call centre employment in Laos in the previous year. Upon arrival, they were coerced into perpetrating romance scams, manipulating victims into making cryptocurrency investments. The situation deteriorated further when they were transferred to Myanmar in September, where they encountered another Filipina victim known as “Rose”.
In a desperate bid for freedom, approximately 100 workers attempted a mass escape, though many were recaptured. “Rose” tearfully described their recapture: “We were dragged back to the black room where they administered savage beatings. We truly believed our lives were about to end.”
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has since revealed a disturbing twist: among the 12 Filipinos who returned home on 19 February, some were identified as perpetrators masquerading as victims. DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed that three individuals had outstanding criminal cases, with one arrested immediately upon arrival.
