Legazpi: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) 5 (Bicol) closed a consultancy firm on Thursday following surveillance and an entrapment operation that uncovered unauthorized recruitment activities. DMW-5 Director Jeena Paclibar-Laceda said the operation stemmed from the office's monitoring of an advertisement posted on Facebook and aired over a radio station inviting nurses, caregivers, speech pathologists, physiologists, and other aspiring overseas workers to attend an orientation on overseas employment opportunities.
According to Philippines News Agency, authorities, under the guidance of Paclibar-Laceda, conducted an initial surveillance on June 12, which revealed illegal recruitment activities. A confirmatory surveillance with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) further substantiated these findings. An entrapment operation conducted on June 19 resulted in the filing of charges against one of the establishment's personnel.
DMW Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara for Adjudication Services and Regional Operations stated that a closure order was served against Cander Visa Consultancy Services after evidence of illegal recruitment activities was found. This operation aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to bolster the government's protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against illegal recruiters and human traffickers.
Alcantara clarified that only entities licensed by the DMW are authorized to conduct recruitment activities. He emphasized that any recruitment activity, such as canvassing, enlisting, transporting, or offering overseas jobs for a fee without a license, is prohibited, noting that Cander was not licensed. Investigators confirmed that applicants were initially charged PHP10,000, with additional fees reaching as much as PHP350,000 during the recruitment process despite the firm's lack of DMW authorization.
While the criminal case will be resolved by the courts, the DMW has the authority to order the closure of establishments found to be engaged in illegal recruitment. Under the Marcos administration, about 100 establishments have been closed as part of the agency's intensified nationwide campaign against illegal recruitment.
Alcantara also highlighted that this figure does not include rescue operations conducted by the DMW in coordination with partner agencies, involving OFWs found in illegal and inhumane accommodations abroad. He reminded aspiring OFWs to engage only with DMW-licensed recruitment agencies, avoid paying placement or processing fees without a verified job offer and a signed employment contract, and never agree to use tourist or student visas for overseas employment.
"We urge the public to be wise and not be deceived. Deal only with recruitment agencies licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers," Alcantara advised.
