The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is intensifying its collaborative efforts with regional law enforcement and partner agencies to create a stronger safety net for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This enhanced coordination aims to better shield OFWs and their families from the growing threats of online scams, illegal recruitment, and other forms of exploitation.
Multi-Agency Meeting for Unified Strategy
This initiative was a central topic at the 299th Regional Command Conference and the regular monthly meeting of the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee-Davao (RLECC-Davao). The gathering was hosted by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW-Davao) at the Panorama Summit Hotel.
Acting DCPO director Col. Mannan Muarip represented the police force at this significant assembly. The meeting served as a crucial platform for various agencies to align their strategies for sustaining peace and order, with a special focus on vulnerable communities like migrant workers.
The conference saw participation from a wide array of organizations, including:
- Philippine Army
- Philippine Coast Guard
- National Police Commission
- Bureau of Fire Protection
- Regional offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
- Department of Justice
This multi-agency collaboration, spearheaded by the DMW Regional Office under Maria Carolina B. Agdama, underscores the comprehensive approach being taken to address the complex challenges facing OFWs.
Expanding Public Awareness to Combat Fraud
During the discussions, Col. Muarip took a proactive step by formally requesting DMW-Davao to provide comprehensive information on its ongoing campaigns against human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and financial scams that specifically target overseas workers.
The DCPO plans to feature these educational materials prominently on its official website. The objective is to ensure that OFWs and their families have access to accurate, updated, and easily accessible information that can help them identify and avoid fraudulent schemes.
Muarip emphasized that strengthening public awareness remains a critical component in preventing exploitation. This is especially vital in the digital space, where scammers increasingly and frequently target overseas workers through sophisticated online tactics.
By centralizing this information, the DCPO aims to become a reliable resource hub, empowering the community with the knowledge needed to make safe decisions regarding overseas employment.
