Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 8) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to look into the maritime consultancy firm closed down by the government for alleged illegal recruitment, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source on Friday, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said investigation under the DOJ’s Prosecution Service will include the owner of RTM Maritime Consultancy Services.
“The owner actually had a negative track record. He had been part of two canceled recruitment agencies in the past, in 2010 and 2014, so he has a very deplorable track record that needs to be looked into,” he noted.
If the prosecutors find probable cause, charges will be filed against the owners and anyone who is part of the company and performed the illegal recruitment, Cacdac warned.
The DMW together with law enforcers shut down RTM Maritime Consultancy Services on Thursday for its alleged illegal recruitment of Filipinos wanting to be seafarers. The firm also allegedly charged its clients placement fees worth as much as ₱105,000 even if the law does not allow this.
RTM’s corporate registration papers showed it was just a consultancy firm but was recruiting seafarers without a license, DMW said.
Cacdac cautioned the public against transacting with questionable consultancy firms, as well as agencies offering student visas as they may become victims of illegal recruitment.
“We are monitoring illegal recruiters who offer consultancy or student visa processing but actually recruit for work abroad without a license. Just beware, this is a very strong, fair warning to the perpetrators,” he said.
