𝟮𝟴 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲; 𝗗𝗠𝗪 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Sihanoukville, Cambodia – 28 Filipinos detained in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, were charged with felonies for their alleged involvement in scam operations, aggravated by organized crime, with penalties of 5-10 years.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) maintains that Filipinos who knowingly participate in illegal scam activities must be held accountable under the law.

Meanwhile, 23 Filipinos detained in Battambang face misdemeanor charges for alleged involvement in scam operations, with possible prison terms of two to five years. In a report presented by Undersecretary Darlene Pajarito to Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and the DMW Senior Officials, the Department, through the Migrant Workers Office-Cambodia and its legal retainer, HBS Law Firm, stated that the detainees were subjected to pre-trial proceedings. The Cambodian court is expected to decide on December 6, 2026, whether to dismiss the charges or proceed to trial.

Migrant Workers Secretary Cacdac stressed the need to hold those involved in illegal scam operations accountable while protecting Filipinos who may have been deceived, trafficked, or forced into such activities. “Hindi natin kukunsintihin ang sinumang Pilipinong sadyang nakikilahok sa mga ilegal na scam operation. Dapat managot sa batas ang mga mapapatunayang sangkot dito. Ngunit mahalaga ring matukoy at maprotektahan ang ating mga kababayang naloko, na-traffick, o pinilit na magtrabaho sa mga ganitong operasyon. Sisiguruhin nating igagalang ang karapatan ng bawat isa sa due process, at sisiguruhin ang non-punishment principle kung ang Filipino ay isang biktima ng trafficking,”said Secretary Cacdac. ###

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