Mandaluyong City: A security guard of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assigned inside the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Mandaluyong City was arrested in an entrapment operation on Tuesday for illegally offering expedited government services in exchange for money.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DMW stated in a news release that the suspect had proposed to expedite a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) appointment and certificate for a fee of PHP35,000 per applicant. The PDOS is a mandatory and free requirement for first-time overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The suspect was apprehended by the Migrant Workers Operation Bureau (MWPB) of the DMW in cooperation with the Mandaluyong City police. The operation was initiated after two direct-hire OFWs from Calaca, Batangas, reported the suspect while they were at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office.
These OFWs, who had secured jobs as domestic workers for a royal family in Bahrain, were inquiring about the PDOS process when the suspect approached them. The suspect, identified as Villagracia, allegedly offered to arrange a faster PDOS appointment for a fee. The victims, suspicious of his offer, took Villagracia’s contact information and confirmed with the DMW Information Center that PDOS services are free.
Villagracia is now facing charges under Section 21(h) of Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, as well as charges of estafa. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain if Villagracia had any accomplices.
Cacdac issued a warning to fixers, stating, “We will not allow fixers to take advantage of our hardworking OFWs. Stop your illegal activities or face charges and get imprisoned.” He also urged all OFWs to only transact with official DMW employees.
For accurate information regarding DMW processes and requirements, the public is advised to visit the official DMW website at dmw.gov.ph or contact the 24/7 DMW hotline at (02) 8722-1144 or 8722-1155.
