THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) XI will closely monitor groups and individuals for illegal recruitment activities in the Davao Region.
During the Kapihan forum on June 3, Marie Rose Escalada, DMW XI assistant. regional director, said the department has been able to close numerous illegal recruitments nationwide every week.
“They’re not called agencies because they are illegal; they are not licensed by the DMW to do those things,” Escalada said.
Escalada said they’ve monitored approximately 2-3 groups in Davao City as of last month.
Based on their Facebook page’s report, the department endorsed an alleged illegal recruitment activity to the National Bureau of Investigation XI leading to a criminal investigation of three reported illegal recruiters last March 8 in Toril.
The group was reported to recruit “women aged 21-32 years old with a promise of employment as entertainers bound for Japan.”
“DMW-XI urges the public to continue being alert to the schemes of illegal recruiters and to immediately report any suspicious recruitment activity to airtipinfo@dmw.gov.ph or davao@dmw.gov.ph or DMW-Davao Region FB page,” the statement reads.
In the same way, the department also warned the public against a group recruiting seasonal workers in Korea, posted on March 8.
Escalada also shared that they are also coordinating with other law-enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Justice, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and other security sectors to ensure prompt action in the rescue of victims against illegal recruitment and trafficking.
She also urged the public to visit job listings on their website.
Meanwhile, Gina Mae Quimora, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) officer-in-charge, stressed that there are no recorded recruitment scams in their office.
To give tribute to all OFWs for their great contribution to our community and economy, DMW XI and OWWA will hold Migrant Workers Day on June 6 at SM City Annex, Davao City.
