Illegal recruiters are using travel agencies in recruiting applicants for non-existent jobs and asking them for a large amount of money to facilitate their application.

The operation of an alleged big-time illegal recruitment syndicate fronting as travel agency in Baguio was cracked by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the local police when the victims brought a member of the agency at Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).

The suspect was identified as Roliza Batnag, 23, of the Global Need Consultancy Management Services at 177-A Cresencia Village, Bokawkan Road in the city. Another suspect named Rodrigo Domingo, 37, is still on the loose.

The 73 victims, who came from Baguio and several towns of Benguet and Nueva Ecija said that they were asked to pay amounts ranging from P5,000 to P175,000 for non-existent overseas jobs.

According to Baguio City Police Chief Isagani Nerez, the victims would file charges against the suspects, once POEA Regional Director Delfina Camarillo and Prosecutor Margarita Manalo certified to them that the consultancy firm was not licensed or authorized to recruit workers for overseas employment from Baguio City or any other area in Cordillera.

Miriam Cristina Padilla, 52, one of the victims, resident of Queen of Peace disclose that she gave money amounting P150,000 and added US$500 last May and June, was given a promised job as factory worker in Australia but she haven’t received any travel documents from the consultancy firm.

Richard Osay, also a victim of illegal recruitment of Global, is a security guard from la Trinidad Benguet said that he gave P35,000 in cash to Batnag and Domingo for a butcher job in Sydney Australia, but just like Padilla, he didn’t received any travel documents as the suspects promised him.

The public is being advised not to apply in job openings offered by a travel agency. Travel agencies are not authorized by POEA to recruit and deploy workers for overseas jobs.

Likewise, do not shell out money without the employment contract. And to confirm whether the contract is genuine, bring copy of your contract to the nearest POEA Satellite Office if you are in the province or at the main office located at the BFO

Bldg., EDSA cor. Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City (Information Center).