Following the strict directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to combat human trafficking and protect Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from exploitation, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) successfully shuttered an unlicensed recruitment firm today, March 12, 2026.
The operation, led by Assistant Secretary Jerome A. Alcantara and Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) Director Romelson Abbang, targeted the Trabaho sa Korea Language Center (TSKLC) located in Dau, Mabalacat. The raid was conducted in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Mabalacat.
Investigations revealed that TSKLC was operating as a clandestine recruitment agency without the necessary licenses from the DMW. The center allegedly lured victims through a fraudulent “Work and Study Program,” promising guaranteed employment in South Korea.
Key findings from the DMW investigation include:
-
False Advertising: TSKLC misrepresented the DMW’s official government-to-government (G2G) hiring programs to gain unearned credibility.
-
Exaggerated Salaries: The agency promised housekeeping and caregiver positions with monthly salaries ranging from ₱80,000 to ₱100,000.
-
Exorbitant Fees: Applicants were reportedly charged “processing fees” amounting to ₱150,000, a clear violation of recruitment laws. “Illegal recruiters are evolving, often hiding behind the facade of language centers or study-abroad programs,” said Assistant Secretary Alcantara. “We are here to send a clear message: the DMW will not tolerate those who prey on the dreams of our countrymen.”
The DMW reiterates that legitimate government-to-government programs do not require the payment of massive “placement fees” to private language centers. To ensure safety, the Department urges all aspiring OFWs to:
-
Verify First: Transact only with agencies listed on the official DMW website.
-
Avoid Unofficial Fees: Refrain from paying unauthorized processing or placement fees to individuals or unlicensed entities.
-
Report Suspicious Activity: Promptly report any dubious job offers or illegal recruitment hubs to the DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau.
The DMW is currently preparing to file charges against the owners and operators of TSKLC for violations of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, as amended.
