The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday warned Filipino domestic workers about illegal recruiters offering quick employment in Abu Dhabi and Dubai using forged overseas employment certificates (OECs), following the arrest of an alleged illegal recruiter.

Authorities confirmed the arrest of an alleged illegal recruiter identified as Gie Celleros Viterbo, who was seized during an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) - Human Trafficking Division and the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau.

Viterbo was apprehended inside her condo in Pasay City after she was reported by victims to have used their previous Saudi employment contracts to process them as returning workers bound for Dubai, promising salaries of $400 to $450 a month.

During immigration screenings, however, Bureau of Immigration (BI) and DMW officers found that these workers’ documents, including their OECs, had been falsified.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured that Viterbo will be facing charges related to large-scale illegal recruitment and trafficking, and that victims will be provided assistance and counselling.

The department told workers not to accept employment from entities that instruct them to use their old OECs and use fake employer and destination details in order to leave the country.

“Huwag po kayong papayag at tatanggap na dadalhin kayo o bibigyan kayo ng trabaho sa abroad na gagamitin ang dati ninyong OEC at papayag na i-fake ang employer at destination country para lang makalabas kayo ng bansa. Dumaan po tayo sa proseso at tutulong po kami. Hahanap po kami ng employer kung kayo man ay nahihirapan humanap ng employer,” Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said.

The administration, Cacdac said, is committed to protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through “safe, ethical, and lawful migration pathways.” In addition, the agency urged other victims to come forward and cooperate with authorities.