TWO individuals have been arrested during an entrapment operation for allegedly demanding ₱300,000 from each applicant in exchange for promised employment as factory workers and welders in Poland, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced.
The suspects were taken into custody following a coordinated operation aimed at stopping unauthorized recruitment activities that put job seekers at risk of fraud and exploitation.
In a statement released Monday, June 30, the DMW identified the arrested persons as Jomalyn Baya Fisher and Glydel Suyon. The operation was carried out jointly by the department and the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. As a result of the probe, authorities also issued Closure Order No. 24 against the Sta. Ana, Manila office of Venancia Consultancy PTY Ltd. and its affiliate, Venancia International Manpower Inc., effectively halting their operations.
According to the DMW, the victims stated they were required to pay the hefty amount as processing fees to secure work abroad. Investigations revealed that while Fisher and Suyon were employed as recruitment officers in a licensed agency, they were not authorized to represent Venancia Consultancy or its affiliate. Furthermore, records showed that Venancia had no approved job orders for Poland and lacked the necessary permit from the DMW to conduct recruitment activities at all.
The department emphasized that the action aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect overseas Filipino workers from abuse and illegal schemes. Led by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and other senior officials, the operation serves as a warning to those who exploit Filipinos seeking better opportunities. The DMW also advised the public to transact only with fully licensed agencies and to report any suspicious recruitment practices immediately to authorities.
metrosundaily
