Four suspects arrested and two unlicensed agencies shut down in a major operation against fraudulent overseas job schemes.
In a decisive action against exploitation and fraudulent overseas job schemes, the Philippine National Police (PNP), in collaboration with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), conducted operations that resulted in the arrest of four suspects and the closure of two unlicensed recruitment agencies in Tanza, Cavite, and Cubao, Quezon City. This initiative emphasizes the PNP’s commitment to protecting Filipinos from unscrupulous recruiters who prey on their aspirations for a better life abroad.
The operations, carried out on January 26 and 30, 2026, are part of the PNP’s Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) under its Focused Agenda, which prioritizes the safeguarding of Filipinos from various forms of criminality, including online scams and human trafficking.
In the first operation in Tanza, Cavite, authorities arrested a 43-year-old man named Mario, the owner of a travel agency allegedly recruiting migrant workers for South Korea without DMW approval. Applicants were promised jobs as hotel cleaners and laundry staff with salaries of 2,200,000 Korean Won (approximately ₱92,000.00) in exchange for a processing fee of ₱80,000.00. Mario was apprehended while collecting payment from an applicant, leading to the immediate closure of his agency.
A follow-up operation in Cubao, Quezon City, led to the apprehension of three female employees—Ann, Kris, and Tina—of a manpower agency. These suspects were offering jobs in Hong Kong, Qatar, and Greece for a processing fee of ₱35,000.00, despite lacking the necessary registration with the DMW. Their agency was also shut down.
PNP Chief, PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., stated, “These arrests and closures send a strong message: the PNP will not tolerate any illegal recruitment that exploits our kababayan, especially our overseas Filipino workers. Our goal is to protect our citizens from deception and abuse. We will not cease our fight against illegal activities, whether online or in physical operations.”
He further emphasized the PNP’s commitment to collaborating with the Department of Migrant Workers to dismantle fraudulent recruitment operations nationwide. Through EMPO, the PNP ensures that every operation is meticulously planned, focused, and achieves tangible results for the protection of every Filipino.
These successful operations underscore the PNP’s unwavering determination to dismantle illegal recruitment networks, protect the rights of Filipino workers, and ensure that victims of fraudulent schemes receive justice. Through focused and relentless efforts, the PNP aims to build a “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”
