SHUT DOWN. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary Francis Ron De Guzman (center) and DMW 10 (Northern Mindanao) OIC Fidel Macauyag (right) lead the closure of a travel agency in Initao, Misamis Oriental on Tuesday (June 25, 2024). The agency was closed for conducting illegal recruitment without any authorization from the DMW or license to operate as a recruitment firm. (PNA photo by Nef Luczon)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) closed a travel agency allegedly involved in illegal recruitment in Initao, Misamis Oriental, as more staffing agencies in Northern Mindanao are put under surveillance.
The DMW team, headed by Assistant Secretary Francis Ron De Guzman, arrived at the agency unannounced on Tuesday, carrying the closure order, which was based on a surveillance report conducted several months ago.
"Based on our interrogation, it is clear that they are operating as a recruitment agency but without a license, and they refer these recruits to a ‘partner’ agency in Manila that has a license," he said, adding that the agency's owner was not around during their surprise visit.
De Guzman maintained that the agency violated anti-human trafficking laws because all recruitment firms for overseas work must register with DMW and must operate with a license, even if these agencies are affiliated with other agencies.
He said the Manila-based agency affiliated with the Initao firm is equally accountable and could be charged with violating anti-human trafficking laws.
De Guzman said the agency’s closure in Initao is the 11th case in the past six months.
Lawyer Fidel Macauyag, officer in charge of DMW 10 (Northern Mindanao), said their surveillance of the agency began when it advertised on social media work in Europe, notably in Poland.
Potential recruits were promised a monthly salary of PHP35,000 to PHP45,000, and the agency required a "processing fee" worth PHP190,000 to PHP230,000 for applications.
Macauyag also noted that other firms in the region with similar schemes are under surveillance, and that the Initao case is DMW's first closure in Mindanao.
Initao Mayor Mercy Grace Again, during the courtesy call of the DMW team, pledged to revoke the business license of the erring travel recruitment agency. (PNA)
