A former official from the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC), Winston Casio, has issued a grave warning that approximately 1,500 Filipinos may still be held against their will in Myanmar’s notorious scam compounds. Citing data from a Bangkok-based civil society organization, Casio noted that while 335 victims have successfully returned home, these individuals represent only a small fraction of those currently suffering. Reports from the region indicate that some victims are being held at gunpoint, while others have fled into nearby forests to escape the abuse and confinement found within these illegal facilities.

Distressing accounts continue to emerge, including a video from a family member pleading for the rescue of a relative and direct messages from trapped workers who feel helpless and desperate for intervention. In response to the crisis, Casio is coordinating with the Royal Thai Police and Philippine representatives in Myanmar to verify these reports and facilitate potential rescues. He has also formally urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to form a specialized task force aimed at curbing the exploitation of Filipinos by international human trafficking syndicates and preventing further recruitment into these dangerous overseas operations.