MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday warned anew would-be overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) against unscrupulous persons using the internet and social media to illegally recruit workers abroad.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the warning after learning that many human trafficking and illegal recruitment victims intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were recruited by syndicates offering their services via Facebook and social networking sites.
“We reiterate our warning to our kababayans that they should avoid transacting with strangers online offering high paying jobs in foreign lands without the benefit of protection from the government. You will only be putting yourselves in harm’s way,” he said in a statement.
The BI chief added that those who are looking to work abroad can always access the website of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or visit its office to look for legitimate job openings and avail the services of licensed or accredited recruitment agencies.
“Do not deal with unlicensed recruiters as they cannot guarantee your safety, good working conditions, and salaries according to industry standards. Chances are you will be intercepted at our ports if you avail the services of fraudsters and illegal recruiters,” Morente said.
Meanwhile, BI Port Operations Division chief Grifton Medina reported the recent interception of four females who were allegedly recruited as household service workers in Dubai.
He said they attempted to depart as tourists bound for Singapore and Malaysia at the NAIA on November 9 and 10.
According to BI Travel Control and Enforcement Unit head Ma. Timotea Barizo, the victims admitted that they met their recruiters through Facebook and that it was the latter who processed their visas and employment papers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“As in the case of many ‘tourist’ workers intercepted at our ports, these women all had UAE visas in their possession which they hid in their bags as instructed by their handlers,” she said.
The BI official added that their flight to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were mere fronts as they concealed their itineraries and planned to board their connecting flights to UAE.
All of them were immediately turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for assistance and further investigation.