DMW Shuts Down Manila Recruitment Firms for Illegal Overseas Job Schemes
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) took decisive action on Friday, March 27, 2026, by shutting down two recruitment firms in Ermita, Manila. The closure targets Creative Artist Placement Service, Inc. and its partner Schengen Visa CAPS, which were found to be operating illegally despite a suspended license and lacking approved job orders.
Illegal Operations and Victimization of OFWs
According to DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, the firms were victimizing Filipinos aspiring to work in Europe, particularly in Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Their modus operandi involved offering non-existent jobs as factory workers, caregivers, and skilled workers, while charging excessive placement fees ranging from PHP80,000 to PHP120,000. Approximately 45 complainants reported the firms to the DMW, leading to a validation that confirmed the absence of legitimate job orders for these European countries.
Consequences for Owners and Staff
The owners and staff of the closed firms will face severe repercussions. They will be included in the DMW's "List of Persons and Entities with Derogatory Record," effectively barring them from participating in any government-sanctioned overseas recruitment programs. Additionally, the agency has recommended the cancellation of Creative Artist Placement Service, Inc.'s license and filed charges of illegal recruitment against the individuals involved.
Broader Crackdown on Illegal Recruitment
This closure operation marks the seventh such action conducted by the DMW's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau since January 2026. It underscores the agency's ongoing efforts to combat illegal recruitment and protect overseas Filipino workers from fraudulent schemes. The DMW continues to urge the public to report suspicious activities to prevent further victimization in the recruitment sector.
