Acting on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to aggressively combat illegal recruitment, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shuttered a suspended recruitment agency and its partner visa consultancy firm in Ermita, Manila, for defrauding aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Central Europe.
The DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) led the closure of Creative Artist Placement Service, Inc. and its affiliate, Schengen Visa CAPS. The operations were spearheaded by Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia following reports that the firms were illegally recruiting workers for positions in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
Investigation revealed that the firms enticed applicants with high-paying roles—including factory workers, farmers, housekeepers, cleaners, and drivers—boasting monthly salaries of approximately Php 80,000.
To secure these positions, applicants were coerced into paying exorbitant placement fees ranging from Php 120,000 to Php 150,000. Despite paying these fees, many victims remained stranded in the Philippines for over a year without deployment.
The DMW’s operation highlighted several critical legal breaches:
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No Valid Job Orders: While Creative Artist Placement Service, Inc. held a license, it was already under suspension and possessed zero approved job orders for factory or farm work in Poland.
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Illegal Tie-ups: The use of a “visa consultancy” (Schengen Visa CAPS) to facilitate recruitment is a common tactic used to bypass DMW regulations and overcharge applicants.
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Overcharging: The fees collected far exceeded the legal limits set by the government for recruitment. “We are sending a clear message: the government will not tolerate agencies that prey on the dreams of our countrymen. These firms will face the full force of the law,” stated Undersecretary Olalia during the closure.
As a result of the raid, Creative Artist Placement Service, Inc. faces the permanent cancellation of its license. Furthermore, all officers and staff involved will be included in the DMW “List of Persons with Derogatory Record,” effectively barring them from the recruitment industry. Criminal charges for illegal recruitment are also being prepared.
This operation marks the seventh illegal establishment closed by the DMW in 2026. The Department vows to intensify its crackdown throughout the year to ensure the safety and welfare of all Filipino migrant workers.
