3 Pinoys trapped in Cambodia after being forced to work in Chinese scam farm

Three Filipinos trapped in Cambodia are asking the government to help them return to the Philippines, claiming they were tortured by their Chinese employers after they attempted to flee a scam farm where they were forced to work.

The Filipinos said they are currently hiding in a safehouse as they are still being pursued by the Chinese who beat them after learning that they were planning to escape the scam farm, which originally thought was a call center.

“Sana po mapauwi na po kami ng maayos at safe sa pamilya namin sa Pilipinas. Habang nandito pa rin po kami, hindi po namin alam ‘yung mga pwede pang mangyari,” one of the victims said in a video sent to GMA Integrated News.

(Hopefully we are repatriated properly and safely back to our families in the Philippines. We do not know what else can happen while we are still here.)

According to the Filipinos, they were brought by 15 Chinese individuals to a vacant lot where they were beaten after their plan to leave the scam farm was discovered. They shared photos and videos showing wounds and burn marks on their bodies.

One of them, identified as “Ben,” said he was locked up for three days without food; “Takot na takot po ako… Akala ko talaga mamamatay na kami dun.” (I was really scared. I really thought we would die there.)

Another Filipino, identified as “Alice,” said she was thrown on a gravel surface causing her to lose consciousness. She woke up when she felt her hand being burned by cigarettes.

“Pagkatapon po sakin sa may lupa po na puro bato bato, ito ‘po yung unang bumagsak (referring to her left side). Tapos may bigla po ulit tumadyak saka po nawalan po ako ng malay. Nagising lang po ako nang may pumasa po sa kamay ko ng sigarilyo. ‘Yung isa po bakal,” she said.

(When I was thrown into the ground full of stones, I landed on my side. Someone kicked meand I lost consciousness. I just came to when I was being burned by a cigarette on my hand. Then there was metal.)

The Chinese individuals were said to have left the area after beating the Filipinos, who then took the opportunity to escape.

“Hindi po namin maisip kung ano po ‘yung mga pwedeng gawin kasi pinapahanap pa rin po kami ngayon. Sana po matulungan niyo po kami mapauwi na,” one of them identified as “Weng” said.

(We don’t know what to do because they are still looking for us. Hopefully you can help us return home.)

For its part, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it is coordinating with other agencies including the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to have the Filipinos repatriated.

“Huwag kayong matakot. Gagawin ko agad ang lahat ng paraan para ma-i-rescue kayo diyan (Do not be afraid. I will immediately do everything so you can be rescued),” NBI director Jaime Santiago said. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News