DMW padlocks two Cebu firms for alleged illegal recruitment

 

Sec Cacdac and USec Olalia post closure notices at the 2 establishments

Officials of the Department of Migrant Workers led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Undersecretary Bernard Olalia personally locked down two business establishments in Cebu early on Friday, June 5, for alleged illegal recruitment.

Ordered closed were the JLPT/JFT Training and Assessment Center in Mandaue City and Anaya USA Visa Consultancy in Cebu City, after they were found to have offered jobs abroad to Filipinos without the required licenses and authority.

A statement posted on the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program said the raids were in line with the government’s intensified crackdown on unauthorized overseas employment schemes and human trafficking.

The said laws apply to businesses that present themselves as visa consultancy firms but offer jobs abroad to sweeten the deal.

No mention was made, however, of who were behind the operation of the two establishments. But the DMW assured that criminal complaints for illegal recruitment will be filed against the individuals behind the operations and that they will be recommended for inclusion in the agency’s list of persons and entities with derogatory records.

First to be closed was the JLPT/JFT Training and Assessment Center, located in Amanah & Sons Marketing Building along AS Fortuna Street in Mandaue City.

DMW investigators reportedly found that the center offered Japanese language training to jobseekers and charged them a training fee of Php28,500 while promising them jobs as dairy farmers, caregivers and cleaners in Japan with monthly salaries of between Php50,000 and Php100,000.

Anaya which is based at Meridian by Avenir in Mabolo, Cebu City, was supposed to operate as a visa consultancy firm, is alleged to have lured job applicants with promises of seasonal agricultural jobs in the United States, including fruit and vegetable pickers, poultry farming, dairy and livestock production, greenhouse work, and produce processing.

Olalia speaks with an Anaya official during the raid

The applicants were told they could earn from USD14 to USD18 per hour, including free air fare, accommodation, insurance, legal assistance and meals.

In exchange, each jobseeker was charged processing fees ranging from Php150,000 to Php300,000 excluding medical examination fees.

According to DMW, investigators also found out that Anaya had been conducting orientations I Cebu and Bohol in coordination with local government units and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) partners.

The same modus was employed by another Cebu-based visa consultancy company, Opportunities Abroad, which enticed applicants to apply for student visas in Canada, but assured them they would be getting in there on a work-study program, and could bring family members along.

Opportunities Abroad and its affiliate company, Pinoy Care Visa Center, were among a number of visa consultancies cited by the DMW in 2024 for alleged illegal recruitment, and warned the public against transacting with them.

The operations carried out under DMW Closure Orders Nos. 13 and 14, Series of 2026, were launched after authorities confirmed that both establishments lacked the necessary permit and licence to recruit Filipinos for overseas work.

Victims or applicants of either company are urged to coordinate with DMW Region VII or the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau for legal assistance and documentation support.

The DMW also urged job-seekers to first verify any overseas job offers, to deal only with licensed recruitment agencies and other official government channels.

 

 

 

Trial set for Pinay, Indon DH accused of illegal work

 

Shek O Store (Photo by Alex SL Lee, Google Maps photo)

A Filipina and her Indonesian fellow domestic helper today denied working illegally, setting in motion a two-day trial of their case at Shatin Court. 

Bambi Gabriel, 44 years old, and Wakinah, 48 years old,  are charged with breach of condition of stay contrary to section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115, Laws of Hong Kong, and by virtue of Regulation 2 of the Immigration Regulations.

Magistrate Pang Leung-ting set the pre-trial review on Aug. 19 and the trial on Aug.28 and 31. He granted them bail of $1,000 each.

Basahin ang detalye!

“Keep in contact with your counsel” to prepare for the trial, Magistrate Pang advised them .

The two are accused of performing odd jobs between May 4, 2023 and August 25, 2023 at Yeung Kee Store, in Shek O Village, violating their condition of stay which bans them from doing any work other than as a domestic helper

The condition was imposed by an Immigration assistant on Gabriel on Dec. 28, 2022 and on Wakinah on March 26, 2023 when they were permitted to remain in Hong Kong for employment as a domestic helper for Tang, Pui Chun.

The prosecutor said they will present three prosecution witnesses, including officers who arrested them, and 19 videos allegedly showing them performing illegal work.

 

13 people arrested in crackdown on illegal renovation workers

 

Some of those found working illegally at renovation sites are led away for questioning

A total of 12 suspected illegal workers and one employer were arrested in a two-day sweep mounted by the Immigration Department to target those working illegally at premises undergoing renovation.

The operation was launched after immigration officers trawled social media sites where renovation services by illegal workers are being offered. After an intensive investigation, officers pretended to be customers to enquire and book the services.

Four illegal workers, all men aged 33 to 53, were subsequently arrested after they replied to the enquiries.

Separately, multiple raids were carried out on various premises under renovation, including industrial buildings and residential flats.

Basahin ang detalye!

Eight suspected illegal workers comprising six men and two women, aged 28 to 54, were arrested. Another woman, aged 45, was also detained on suspicion of hiring the workers.

A statement from Immigration Department said an investigation into the suspected employers is continuing.

The statement also reminded the public that illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which the prescribed maximum sentence is between two and three years in jail and a fine of up to HK$50,000.

Aiders and abettors are liable to be charged and sentenced accordingly.

Employers face the more serious sentence of up to HK$500,000 in fine and imprisonment for up to 10 years.

To report suspected illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

 

 

Pinoy gets 1-year probation with warning

 

Eastern Magistrate's Court

A 16-year-old unemployed Filipino got off with a one-year probation for his weapons and assault charges at Eastern Court today but got a warning.

“I am giving you a chance,” Principal Magistrate David Cheung told R.S. San Jose. “If the progress is negative I will sentence you.”

His progress report, to be made to the court, is due on Oct. 5.

Basahin ang detalye!

San Jose’s first charge is possession of prohibited weapons, contrary to section 4 of the Weapons Ordinance.

He allegedly had in his possession a prohibited weapon, a metal knuckleduster when arrested on April 7, 2025 at Lockhart Road at the Junction of Cannon Street, Wan Chai.

He is also charged, along with 18-year-old Kouarouvi Ohiniko Kokou Clement, a recognizance holder from Togo, with conspiracy to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Common Law, section 39 of the Offences Against the Person Ordinance, Cap. 212, and sections 159A and 1590 of the Crimes Ordinance.

Kouakouvi is also charged with possession a dangerous drug, namely one grinder containing 0.04 grammes of cannabis in herbal form, at the same place and time.

His case has been adjourned for progress report on June 24.

Showdown looms at Senate

 

New majority of 12 senators elect Sherwyn Gatchalian as acting Senate President

Another standoff is looming at the Philippine Senate on Thursday,  June 4, after the previous minority bloc convened the 20^th session by gathering what it claimed was a majority of 12 senators, and agreed to declare all positions vacant and proceeded to vote in new leaders.

Elected as Acting Senate President and Speaker Pro Tempore was Sherwyn Gatchalian, who presided over the session in the absence of 11 other senators who had boycotted two earlier sessions in protest at the arrest for plunder and subsequent detention of their ally, Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

After the heads of the various Senate committees were elected, along with a new secretary and sergeant-at-arms, the senators adjourned the session sine die, or at a future date to be determined.

Basahin ang detalye!

The crucial 12^th vote came from Senator Chiz Escudero, who moved over from the other side, but denied it was not a political move, but an attempt to restore credibility to the Senate.

The new majority maintained that while the Constitution requires 13 votes for the election of a new Senate President, only a simple majority of the senators capable of casting their votes is needed to convene a session to kick out the Senate President.

As of now, only 22 of the 24 elected senators are able to physically attend sessions. One of the 24, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, is on the run after being issued with an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, while Senator Estrada was slapped with a non-bailable charge of plunder on June 1.

Cayetano says on Facebook that he is still the 'legal, legitimate and moral' Senate president

The change in leadership was immediately condemned as illegal and unconstitutional by ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who announced via Facebook live that the investigation by the Blue Ribbon Committee into the graft-riddled flood control projects will start Thursday.

In line with this, his sister and committee chair Pia Cayetano issued a public notice to a number of resource persons to attend the scheduled hearing.

But Alan Peter himself said his group may be barred from entering the Senate to start the inquiry, and thus called on the public to come out in force to support them.

Senator Erwin Tulfo who acts as the Senate spokesperson, said the new leadership has already rescinded Alan Peter’s order for the Blue Ribbon Committee meeting tomorrow. Instead, the committee hearing will start on Monday.

To ensure no Senate employee is caught in the crossfire between the two opposing factions, Acting Senate President Gatchalian issued an order making Thursday a work-from-home day.

The move, along with the replacement of the Senate secretary and sergeant-at-arms, effectively deprives Cayetano and sub-committee chairman Rodante Marcoleta of the chance to use Senate facilities and resources to conduct their own public hearing on the flood control mess.

Earlier, the new Senate majority called for the upper chamber to “get back to work” after the opposing bloc boycotted the two constitutionally-mandated sessions on June 1 and 2.

The new ruling group stressed that the Senate must continue fulfilling its constitutional duties despite the ongoing political turmoil.

The bloc cited legal and historical precedents in declaring that the presence of 12 members constituted a quorum, and praised Senator Escudero for filling the remaining slot that was needed for the Senate to proceed with the session.

 

Pinoy jailed for using Octopus card he found to buy $59 worth of goods

Temple Road Peak

When you find an Octopus card, never pick it up. If you do, and worse, use it for purchases, it could land you in jail.

Roel Galanza, 43 and unemployed, found an Octopus card at a public toilet and used it to purchase $59 worth of goods. He was charged with theft on two counts as Eastern Court, pleaded guilty and sentenced to jail for two months.

Galanza was charged with violating section 9 of the Theft Ordinance for which he pleaded guilty.

Basahin ang detalye!

The first charge arose after Galanza found and kept one Anonymous Elder Octopus Card and one JoyYou card, the property of Tow Peraya, outside public toilets of Tin Hau Temple Road Garden, Tin Hau Temple Road, North Point last April 6.

The next day, he made a HK$59 purchase, an amount owed by Octopus Cards Limited to the cards’ owner.

After he pleaded guilty to both charges, Principal Magistrate David Cheung sentenced him to four weeks imprisonment for stealing the cards, and two months imprisonment for using them, both sentences to run at the same time.

He was also made to pay compensation of $59.

In his court appearance today, it was also found that he had 20 previous convictions. 

Pinoy’s one-day trial for indecent assault extended

 

The one-day tri

Kowloon City Court

The trial for indecent assault of a Filipino masseur began today at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts but had to be extended to accommodate more testimonies lined up by both prosecutor and defense lawyers.

Magistrate Claudia Ng adjourned the case to June 24 and granted defendant Mark Lawas, 38 years old, bail of $5,000.

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Lawas, who is a Hong Kong resident, is accused of indecent assault contrary to section 122 (1) of the Crimes Ordinance, which provides that “a person who indecently assaults another person shall be guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 10 years.”

Basahin ang detalye!

The police complaint said the alleged indecent assault on another person, identified only as X, took place on Oct. 25, 2025, at a corridor of Flat A, 15/F, Kam Wa Building, 514-516 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.

First OFW Global Summit set on Jun 7

 

DMW officials announce first-ever OFW Global Summit

The Department of Migrant Workers is set to gather overseas Filipino workers, government agencies and migrant advocates for the first-ever OFW Global Summit in Quezon City on June 7, designated as Filipino Migrant Workers Day.

At a press conference Monday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the summit aims to strengthen support systems for OFWs while recognizing their role in nation-building.

 “Alam natin na sa bawat pag-alis ng mga OFW, may pamilyang umaasa, may pangarap na binubuo, at may sakripisyong hindi laging nakikita. Ang ating mga OFWs ay hindi lamang nagtatrabaho para sa kanilang pamilya. Sila rin ay malaking bahagi ng pag-unlad ng ating bansa,” Cacdac said.

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(We know that with every departure of OFWs, there is a family hoping, a dream being built, and a sacrifice that is not always seen. Our OFWs do not only work for their families. They are also a significant part of our country's development)

He said through the OFW Global Summit, the DMW, together with OFW leaders and organizations, and partner government agencies, will showcase and provide programs and services that address the real needs of OFWs.

Cacdac said the summit will also tackle priority legislation affecting migrant workers and lessons from previous crises affecting OFWs. 

Basahin ang detalye!

The summit, to be held at the Quezon City MICE Center this Sunday, is expected to draw around 1,000 OFWs and connect migrant communities abroad online through livestreaming.

It will feature plenary discussions, workshops, government services, job matching programs, entrepreneurship sessions, and policy discussions focused on migrant concerns.

The DMW said the summit with the theme “Serbisyong Buo, Kalingang Totoo: Inclusive Empowerment of Global Filipinos for Resilience and Nation Building,” forms part of a month-long celebration this June.

Director Francisco Aguilar Jr., overall chairman of the summit, said the event marks a milestone for the DMW.

“Ito po yung kauna-unahang pagkakataon simula ng maitayo ang ating departamento na magkakaroon po ng ganito kalaking selebrasyon,” he said. (This is the first time since our department was established that we will have a celebration of this magnitude).

Among the participating government agencies are the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bureau of Immigration, and other partner institutions, which will also provide frontline services during the summit.

 

Deadline for 2026 ‘Likha’ business competition for OFWs set for Jun 15

 

All wannabe entrepreneurs among overseas Filipino workers for at least five years have until June 15 to take part in the 2026 Likha Global business plan contest where top prizes are at stake. 

The Linangin ang Kakayahan sa Kabuhayan Award or Likha Global Business Plan Competition is organized annually by the Department of Migrant Workers as part of its reintegration program for OFWs. It aims to help OFWs set up businesses that could provide them a stable income on their return home to the Philippines.

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An announcement just published in the Facebook page of the Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong says the competition which opened last month, offers a top prize of Php500,000 as seed capital for the national winner.

Last year, an OFW from Qatar, Marisol Amihan, won the top prize of Php700,000 for her sustainable farm development proposal. First runner-up Catherine Espiriti, a domestic worker in Kuwait, received Php500,000 for her business plan for goat raising while second runner-up Jimmy Chavez, Jr. won Php400,000 for his nipa palm wine project.

Thirty-eight finalists, including three domestic workers from Hong Kong, each took home Php100,000 for their respective business plans.

The awardees in the 2025 Likha Global Business Plan Competition

To qualify, one has to be currently working abroad, has at least five years’ experience as an OFW, is documented in the latest deployment, an active member of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and is not yet operating a business in the Philippines.

Basahin ang detalye!

All they need to present is a business idea, and if they pass the initial screening they will receive free mentoring and coaching on how they can make their dream business turn to reality.

Those interested to join may register online through this link:  https://bit.ly/likha-ofw

 

Pinoy’s drug trafficking case elevated to DC

 

HK International Airport (Google Maps photo)

A Filipino bartender charged at West Kowloon Court with drug trafficking after his luggage allegedly yielded eight kilos of marijuana when searched at the airport, returned to jail today after his case was elevated to the District Court.

Principal Magistrate  Don So adjourned the case to June 18,

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Aaron Jared de Guzman, 26 years old, faces two charges:

• Trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
• Possession of a poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List, contrary to sections 23(1), 33(1) and 34 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

De Guzman was arrested on Aug. 30 last year minutes after arrival, when Customs officers checked his luggage at the Customs Arrival Hall B at the Passenger Terminal 1 of the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok.

Found in his luggage were 8,076 grams of cannabis in herbal form.

He was also found to have in his possession a poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List, namely 5.42 grams of a liquid containing nicotine.

Filipino wanted for human trafficking arrested after repatriation from Cambodia

 

The suspect was among 7 Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia

A man who was among seven Filipinos repatriated from Cambodia on Sunday was arrested by an inter-government team shortly arriving at Manila international airport after he was found to have an existing warrant of arrest for qualified human trafficking. 

John Lerry Amit came with six victims of human trafficking to Cambodia at around 5:15am on Sunday. The group was immediately assessed individually for whatever services they could avail of from various government agencies.

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It was during the processing that Amit was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant for qualified human trafficking, the details of which were not disclosed in a press statement issued by the Department of Migrant Workers.

The offence is non-bailable under Philippine law, and the prescribed maximum sentence for those found guilty of the crime is life imprisonment, and fine of up to Php5 million.

Details here

Human trafficking is classified as “qualified” in the presence of such aggravating factors as having been committed by a syndicate, where at least one victim was a minor or under 18 years old, if the victim dies or becomes insane, suffers mutilation or is infected with HIV/AIDS.

Amit was immediately read out his rights as an accused under Philippine law, and afterwards was transferred to the custody of airport police ahead of his detention and court appearance.

Basahin ang detalye!

The DMW said it continues to work with various government agencies in the campaign against illegal recruitment, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation of Filipinos abroad.

The rescue, protection and provision of legal assistance to victims is a top priority, alongside efforts to immediately arrest and hold accountable those behind illegal recruitment and human trafficking offences.

 

 

2 DHs in jail over alleged thefts of around $1M each

 

District Court

Two domestic helpers charged in separate theft cases involving around $1 million each, were sent back to jail after hearings at District Court last week.

The two, accused of theft contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, were Jeanny Llarenas, 50 years old, and Analyn Doregios, 44 years old. Both cases were adjourned to Aug. 25 by Judge Stanley Chan.

Llarenas, 50 years old, is charged with theft for allegedly stealing five watches, two gold pendants, three necklaces, one pair of earrings and two bracelets worth $1,010,000 between of March 26, 2025 and Oct. 15, 2025 at their house n Deerhill Bay on Tai Po Road - Tai Po Kau, Tai Po.

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Originally, when the case was taken up by Fanling Court on Dec. 12, 2025, she was accused in the first charge filed by police, of stealing two Rolex watches with a total value of $500,000 on an unknown date between June 1 and Oct 15 this year.

The second charge involved the theft of two Rolex watches and a Citizen watch worth a total  of $510,000 during the same period.

The two charges were consolidated when it reached the District Court.

Details here

Doregios was originally charged at the West Kowloon Court. Her case was elevated to the District Court last May 12.

She is accused of stealing 34 pieces of gold ornaments (including bracelets, necklaces, pendants and rings), 300 British pounds in cash, 10,000 Euros in cash and 3,000 Swiss francs in cash, total value about HK$940,000, the property of Wong Cheuk Kiu.

Basahin ang detalye!

The theft allegedly took place between June 13 and Nov. 5, 2025, at her employer’s flat in Belvedere Garden Phase 3, on Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan.

The two Filipinas have been in jail since their respective arrest.

DMW applauds SC’s dismissal of appeal in illegal recruitment case

 

Job applicants are advised to check if a recruiter is licensed with DMW

The Department of Migrant Workers has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the appeal of a Filipina recruiter against the lower courts’ decision to convict her of large-scale illegal recruitment involving sabotage.

The Philippines’ highest court not only upheld the decision to sentence Natalie Caluducan to life imprisonment, it also increased the fine imposed on her to Php5 million. She was likewise ordered to reimburse her three victims the amounts they paid as placement fees, with interest of 6% per annum computed from the date of the SC decision.

The SC found Caluducan, together with her co-accused Tessie Tugaoen, who remains at large, falsely represented themselves as capable of deploying workers abroad and collected between Php125,000 and Php212,000 from three victims for placement and processing fees.

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Calucudan had argued that she could not be held liable for the illegal recruitment of the three jobseekers from Cagayan in 2012 as she was not the one who received their money and promised them jobs as worm pickers in Canada. 

In dismissing the appeal, the SC ruled that illegal recruitment may be committed even if the recruiter did not personally receive the money, as long as the offender gave the impression of having the power or authority to send workers abroad for employment. 

The court upheld the rulings of both the Regional Trial Court of Aparri, Cagayan and the Court of Appeals finding Calucudan guilty of massive illegal recruitment along with Tugaoen, for offering the overseas jobs to the victims, despite having no licence or authority from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. 

Details here

During the trial, it emerged that the victims were promised a monthly income of Php88,000 once they got deployed as worm pickers in Canada.

Tugaoen was the one who offered them the jobs in 2012 and received from the three the following amounts in processing fee: Php215,166.14; PHP 212,593.675; and PHP 125,037.35.

Upon Tugaoen's instruction, the three met with Caluducan in July 2013 to fill up and sign their purported employment contracts.

During their meeting, Caluducan represented that she is Tugaoen's business partner. She also assured the victims months after they had paid the fees that their job applications were still being processed.

Basahin ang detalye!

Failing to get anywhere with their applications despite paying the hefty fees, the victims asked POEA to check whether Tugaoen and Calucdan were licensed recruiters. They were informed via a certification that the two were not licensed or authorized to recruit workers for overseas.

The victims then sought POEA’s help to file a complaint against both Tugaoen and Calucdan. Tugaoen had by then gone into hiding, while Calucdan pleaded not guilty to the charge of large-scale human trafficking.

The DMW commended the courage of the victims in pursuing justice, and reiterated its commitment to protect the welfare and uphold the rights of Filipino migrant workers.

The DMW also reminded the public to transact only with licensed recruiters and to verify job offers and recruitment agencies through its webpage:  (https://dmw.gov.ph/) before applying or paying any fees.

Illegal recruitment victims and concerned individuals  are urged to seek help from the DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) through its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip/), the DMW Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, via email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph, or through their hotline number (+63 2 8721-0619).

They may also go to the nearest DMW Regional Office to their location for legal assistance in filing cases against illegal recruiters.

Pinoy in jail after jumping bail in HK$5.55M money-laundering case

 

Ledesma after District Court hearing on Jan. 4, 2024 (File photo)

A Filipino facing a money laundering charge involving US dollars and euros with a total value of HK$5.55 million, has been remanded in jail by the District Court after it adjourned the case to Aug. 11 for mention.

Jose Rizaldo Ledesma, who was unrepresented by a lawyer, had earlier been re-arrested under a warrant for jumping bail after not showing up for the second of the three-day trial on the same case on April 1 last year.

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Judge E. Lee remanded him in jail after hearing the circumstances of his absence.

Ledesma, a former musician, is charged with dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence, contrary to section 25(1) and (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. The offence is punishable by up to 14 years in jail and a maximum fine of $5 million.

Details here

The charge arose from €21,500 Euros and US $706,468.21 in illicit funds that passed through his account with the Bank of China. (Hong Kong) Limited between Aug. 5, 2020 and Oct. 21, 2020.

Ledesma had earlier pleaded not guilty and was on the second day of his trial at the District Court when he jumped bail. His cash bail of $300 was forfeited by Judge G. Lam, who ordered that he not be allowed to post bail once arrested.

Basahin ang detalye!

Ledesma, according to the police complaint, is also known as Ledesma Jose. Rizaldo Raymundo and Leoesma Tose Rizhido R.