Manila, April 24 -- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has partnered with the Hong Kong Police Force to strengthen the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid an alarming surge in debt-related distress and suicide cases among them.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, in a news release on Thursday, said the DMW is intensifying support initiatives, particularly for OFWs burdened by unmanageable debt and predatory lending practices abroad, specifically in the Chinese special administrative region.

Cacdac said the collaboration with the Hong Kong Police aims to address the growing number of cases involving OFWs trapped in high-interest loans.

"Unfortunately, in Hong Kong, a 48-percent interest rate is legal," he exp...