The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has warned returning domestic workers, particularly those who previously worked in Saudi Arabia, against illegal recruiters offering fast-track deployment to Abu Dhabi and Dubai through forged overseas employment certificates (OECs).
The advisory was issued Monday, February 16, after authorities uncovered a scheme where recruiters allegedly reused old employment records and altered key details in documents to make it appear that workers were bound for the UAE under legitimate contracts.
“Binabalaan at nagbibigay po kami ng advisory sa ating mga domestic workers. Huwag po kayong papayag at tatanggap na dadalhin kayo o bibigyan kayo ng trabaho sa abroad na gagamitin ang dati ninyong OEC at papayag na i-fake ang employer at destination country para lang makalabas kayo ng bansa. Dumaan po tayo sa proseso at tutulong po kami. Hahanap po kami ng employer kung kayo man ay nahihirapan humanap ng employer,” Undersecretary Olalia said.
The warning followed the arrest of an alleged illegal recruiter identified as Gie Celleros Viterbo, also known as “Ghie,” who was apprehended in an entrapment operation led by the National Bureau of Investigation–Human Trafficking Division and the DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau.
Authorities said Viterbo was arrested inside her condominium unit in Pasay City after victims reported that she allegedly used their previous Saudi employment contracts to process them as returning workers supposedly bound for Dubai. She reportedly offered monthly salaries ranging from $400 to $450 and arranged travel routes involving connecting flights through Hong Kong and Doha.
However, during screening at immigration, officers from the Bureau of Immigration and the DMW reportedly discovered that the documents submitted, including the OECs, were falsified, prompting authorities to stop the workers from leaving the country.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government will pursue charges against Viterbo, who is facing complaints linked to large-scale illegal recruitment and trafficking, while affected workers will be provided assistance and counseling.
