A 24-year-old job seeker from Zamboanga City lost more than P10,000 after enrolling in what she believed was a legitimate pathway to employment in Japan—only to later discover that the recruitment center she found online was not licensed to process overseas workers.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has renewed its warning to Filipinos seeking jobs abroad, urging them to verify recruiters before making any payments as authorities continue to shut down illegal recruitment operations in Central Visayas.
The trainee, identified only as “Marie,” said she discovered the language training center through Facebook and began paying in installments over four months.
“Sa Facebook ra,” she said, referring to how she first encountered the center online.
She said she eventually paid more than P10,000 in total. “Installment siya, more than 10 thousand, more or less 22 thousand,” she added.
Marie said she only realized the arrangement was problematic after learning that the center was not authorized to recruit workers for overseas employment.
“Nasayangan ko,” she said.
The DMW said her case reflects a recurring pattern involving unlicensed operators offering supposed job placements abroad while collecting large upfront fees.
In recent enforcement operations in Cebu, the agency said two establishments were found charging processing fees ranging from P50,000 to P300,000 while operating without proper authorization.
The closed firms were identified as the Japanese Language Training Center (JLTC) in Mandaue City and Anaya USA Visa Consultancy Inc. in Cebu City.
The DMW said both were placed under Closure Order No. 14, Series of 2026, after surveillance operations showed they were processing applicants and coordinating with recruitment agencies without the required license.
Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia earlier posted closure notices on the establishments on June 5, 2026.
Officials said applicants were being processed for overseas employment without proper accreditation and legal documentation, a violation of recruitment regulations.
DMW Central Visayas Regional Director Jhoaden Lucero said job seekers should only engage with agencies authorized by the agency and verify their status through official DMW channels before paying any fees.
“Dapat ang agency nga atong i-transact is duly authorized by DMW,” Lucero said.
He added that legitimate recruitment processes require clear employment contracts, proper documentation, and signed agreements between agencies and applicants, with payments made only after job offers are secured.
Lucero also warned that agencies operating purely online, demanding upfront payments without proper permits, or lacking verifiable documentation are high-risk and may be involved in illegal recruitment activities.
The DMW said individuals caught in such schemes are considered victims rather than offenders.
“We have explained to them that they are innocent of all these. They will not be charged,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said during a visit to affected trainees in Cebu City.
He added that the agency would extend assistance to affected applicants and help them transition to legitimate training and employment opportunities abroad.
The DMW further reminded the public that illegal recruitment is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment, with large-scale cases carrying the possibility of life imprisonment.
The June 5 operations marked the 12th enforcement action conducted by the agency in Central Visayas this year as part of intensified efforts against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Photo courtesy of PIA 7
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