Probe results on POEA personnel’s link to illegal recruitment out soon

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
(Photo: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)/Facebook)

MANILA— The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is set to release early next year the findings of its fact-finding investigation committee on the illegal recruitment activities involving the agency’s personnel and private recruitment agencies.

“By early next year we will come up with the result of the investigation. We are just waiting to finish the interviews of the witnesses…” said POEA officer-in-charge (OIC) Bernard Olalia in a press briefing.

“We have created a fact finding investigation committee to look into this matter. Ongoing our investigation and for sure we would be able to identify the culprits specifically yung mga POEA personnel who are involved (sic),” the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary added.

He noted that the ongoing investigation would surely identify those involved in the illegal transactions, both from the POEA and the private firms.

“We would also be able to identify those agencies guilty of conspiring with our POEA personnel and heads will roll. We will be implementing major revamp in the days to come,” Olalia added.

The POEA-OIC also revealed that they also relieved some personnel but refused to identify them.

“We replaced them. We will identify them later, they are still entitled to due process,” he said, adding that, “They hold delicate positions.”

Olalia added that the purpose of the investigation is for the filing of administrative and criminal charges against those involved in illegal activities.