Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) – The Bureau of Immigration is on alert against recurring illegal recruitment targeting former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it intercepted two women attempting to leave earlier this month.
“The modus operandi of these unscrupulous individuals involves using the records of legitimate contracts to facilitate their departure under false pretenses, while actually redirecting them to work illegally in a different country,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said on Monday.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon, Immigration Deputy Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac said the target are former OFWs.
“Ang OFW kasi kapag may previous work sila abroad, ang kanilang presentation sa immigration officer ay babalik sila,” said Mabulac.
[Translation: Since they previously worked abroad, OFWs can present themselves to the immigration officer as someone who’d be going back to the country they have been to.]
According to the Bureau of Immigration, the two Filipinas were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. One was bound for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the other for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Mabulac said the BI and the Department of Migrant Workers are dealing with the illegal recruitment activities.
“Iimbestigahan natin na dapat, kapag umaalis sila para magtrabaho, mayroon silang overseas employment certificate at dumaan sila sa proseso ng ating batas,” Mabulac said.
[Translation: We will investigate that when they leave to work, they must have an overseas employment certificate and go through the process as required by law.]
“The next time, maa-alert tayo. Kapag nag-attempt sila, makikita natin kung this time na aalis sila, compliant na sila,” Mabulac said. “Ang ine-ensure natin na every time na aalis sila, according to their purpose, dapat may kaukulang document sila pine-presenta.”
[Translation: We will be more alert next time. If they attempt to leave the country, we will check if they are compliant. We will ensure that if they leave, according to their purpose, they should present their corresponding documents.]
Mabulac said illegal recruitment is usually posted online, particularly through the platform TikTok.
“This incident serves as a reminder to all returning OFWs to exercise caution and be vigilant in their dealings with recruiters,” said Tansingco.
