09-03-2025
DMW vows to expose illegal POGO hub recruiters targeting Filipinos
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is committed to identifying those responsible for the illegal recruitment of Filipinos, who were promised good job opportunities but were instead trafficked to POGO-like hubs in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.
'We are determined to get to the bottom of this issue and identify those behind these illegal recruitment operations,' said Atty. Bernard P. Olalia, Undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services.
He added that the DMW aims to ensure that the practices leading workers into illegal migration routes are stopped.
Following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to safeguard migrant workers, Usec. Olalia assured that criminal cases will be filed against those responsible once the recruiters are identified.
The DMW has already implemented a system to address trafficking, which includes deploying a labor attaché in Thailand to coordinate with local authorities and working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
Recently, 12 victims of trafficking from Myanmar were repatriated to the Philippines and provided financial aid through the Aksyon Fund, along with other support services. Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac revealed that one of the repatriated individuals was, in fact, an illegal recruiter who had posed as a distressed OFW.
The individual was immediately arrested and is now under investigation.
This case highlights the tactic used by illegal recruiters to pose as trafficking victims and travel with legitimate workers during repatriation.
Cacdac reminded the public to be cautious of online recruitment schemes, emphasizing that legitimate recruitment agencies always have physical offices.
Olalia also mentioned that other OFWs in Thailand are awaiting repatriation, with many still processing their documents after escaping their employers and abandoning their visas and passports. The DMW remains ready to assist trafficking victims and urges the public to stay alert and verify job offers and recruitment agencies.
Those who have fallen victim to illegal recruitment or trafficking are encouraged to report to the DMW for support.
