In a final mission for 2025, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) ensured that 35 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Cambodia made it home to the Philippines just hours before the New Year celebration began.
Three Batches Arrive at NAIA on December 31
The successful repatriation operation concluded on December 31, 2025, with all 35 individuals arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City. According to the DMW, the Filipinos were victims of illegal recruitment, human trafficking, and scam hub operations in Cambodia.
The group returned in three separate flights. The first two batches, each consisting of eight OFWs, traveled via AirAsia. Both groups transited through Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on flights AK-586 and AK-582.
The third and largest batch included 19 OFWs. Among them was one individual who had been recently released from prison after completing a sentence for a money laundering-related crime. This group flew directly from Phnom Penh to Manila aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR-2622.
Immediate Aid and a Stern Warning from DMW
Upon their arrival, the repatriated workers did not leave the airport empty-handed. The DMW confirmed that each person received immediate financial and welfare assistance to help them restart their lives back in the country.
Seizing the moment, the department issued a renewed and urgent caution to the public. They highlighted the persistent danger of fraudulent job offers, many of which are now proliferating on social media platforms.
"The Department urges jobseekers to verify the legitimacy of overseas employment opportunities and to ensure they are properly approved and registered with the DMW before accepting any offer," the agency stated firmly. This verification step is crucial to prevent others from falling into similar traps.
Vigilance is Key for Job Seekers
This repatriation underscores the ongoing inter-agency efforts to protect Filipino workers abroad. The DMW's operation serves as both a rescue mission and a preventive lesson.
For anyone seeking work overseas, the key takeaways are clear:
- Always check if the recruiter and job order are registered with the DMW or POEA.
- Be extremely wary of offers that seem too good to be true, especially those received through unverified social media channels.
- Never process travel documents without proper verification of the employer and job contract.
The safe return of these 35 individuals marks a hopeful end to 2025, but the DMW's work to combat illegal recruitment continues into the new year.
