Two individuals allegedly involved in illegal recruitment were arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region 2, Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) Central Office, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Isabela Provincial Field Unit on August 28 in Santiago City, Isabela.
The operation stemmed from a complaint involving the alleged fraudulent recruitment of Filipino workers for caregiver jobs in Ireland through an immigration consultancy that reportedly had no license or authority from the DMW to conduct overseas recruitment.
The suspects were identified as Emelita Melo and Joseph Arconcil, who were reportedly employees of Learghusa Immigration and Consultancy Services/Leisaphil Immigration and Consultancy Services in Santiago City.
Based on the investigation, the suspects allegedly offered caregiver positions in Ireland with a promised salary of up to €3,200, or more than ₱200,000 per month, along with visa assistance and guaranteed employment.
The surveillance and validation operations were led by DMW Region 2 Regional Director Atty. Rogelio T. Benitez and CIDG Isabela Provincial Field Unit Chief PLTCOL Rex G. Pascua, together with MWPB personnel, which eventually led to the suspects' arrest.
Benitez stressed that an entity cannot use its status as an immigration consultancy to conduct overseas recruitment without the proper DMW authorization.
“Hindi maaaring gamitin ang pagiging ‘immigration consultancy’ para magsagawa ng recruitment para sa isang overseas job. Kailangan ay awtorisado sila o may lisensya mula sa DMW,” Benitez said.
He also urged Filipinos seeking employment abroad to verify the legitimacy and authorization of recruitment entities before applying or paying any fees.
"Pinaaalalahanan po natin ang mga naghahanap ng trabaho abroad na beripikahin muna ang lisensya at awtorisasyon ng recruitment entity upang hindi mabiktima ng illegal recruitment at mga pekeng alok ng trabaho,” he added.
Melo and Arconcil are currently detained at the CIDG Provincial Office in Ilagan City as authorities prepare the filing of appropriate charges before inquest proceedings at the Office of the City Prosecutor in Santiago City.
