Photo courtesy of PNP
Promises of high-paying jobs in Ireland and the Netherlands led to the arrest of two suspected illegal recruiters in Santiago City, according to the Philippine National Police.
The suspects, identified only as aliases “Mark” and “Ana,” were apprehended in Barangay Rizal during a joint operation by the CIDG Isabela Provincial Field Unit and the Department of Migrant Workers Region 2.
Authorities said the pair allegedly targeted Filipinos seeking work abroad, offering employment as caregivers, agricultural workers and health professionals.
Investigators said the suspects were caught receiving applicants’ documents and collecting processing fees despite allegedly having no government license or authority to recruit workers for overseas jobs.
The operation was carried out as authorities intensified efforts against recruitment schemes that exploit Filipinos seeking better employment opportunities abroad.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said fraudulent recruiters prey on workers hoping to improve their families’ lives and vowed continued coordination with the DMW against such operations.
“We are working hand-in-hand with the DMW and other partner agencies to make sure these fraudulent schemes are stopped right at their tracks, whether they operate on the ground or through online platforms,” Nartatez said.
The PNP urged aspiring overseas Filipino workers to verify job offers through official government channels before handing over documents or paying recruitment fees.
