THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shut down Davao Ohayou Language Training and Skills Institute Inc. in Bajada, Davao City, on Friday, February 28, 2025 for allegedly engaging in illegal recruitment. The DMW said the training center was offering employment to students despite lacking a recruitment license.
The closure was enforced through CO No. 06, Series of 2025, signed by DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia. DMW Assistant Secretary Jerome A. Alcantara and Regional Director Maria Carolina B. Agdamag were also present during the operation.
Authorities sealed five rooms within the training center, where over 100 students were found. Alcantara said extensive surveillance confirmed that the institute was illegally offering employment to students.
“Dahil na rin sa napakaraming surveillance activities na ginawa ng team natin dito, napatunayan natin na may illegal recruitment na nangyayari. Hindi lang siya basta training pero merong offer ng employment dun sa kaniyang mga estudyante,” Alcantara stated.
(Due to the numerous surveillance activities conducted by our team here, we have proven that illegal recruitment is taking place. It is not just mere training, but there is also an offer of employment to the students.)
The DMW also found that some students had surrendered their passports to the institute, which Alcantara pointed out as a strong indicator of illegal recruitment.
“In fact, may mga passport na kinuha doon sa mga estudyante natin, na ang indikasyon para sa amin ay yun nga talagang nagre-recruit sila. Hangga’t wala kang lisensya na galing sa Department of Migrant Workers, bawal ito,” he emphasized.
(In fact, passports were taken from our students, which for us is an indication that they are indeed recruiting. Unless you have a license from the Department of Migrant Workers, this is illegal.)
The DMW assured that efforts are underway to assist the affected students in retrieving their essential documents, including passports, NBI clearances, and birth certificates. Alcantara also instructed the DMW-Davao office to gather the names of applicants and help them find legal and safe employment opportunities abroad.
Authorities are building the case against the training center, citing a possible violation of Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. If proven guilty, it could face severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to a lifetime sentence.
“Kapag napatunayan sila na illegal recruitment nga, puwedeng mula dalawampung taon hanggang habambuhay na pagkakakulong, (If they are proven to be engaged in illegal recruitment, they could face imprisonment ranging from twenty years to life),” Alcantara said.
He reiterated that Davao Ohayou is a language center, not a recruitment agency, and thus has no legal authority to hire, offer employment, or facilitate overseas recruitment.
“Language center siya, hindi recruitment agency. Ayon sa batas, recruitment agency lang ang puwedeng mag-hire, mag-offer ng employment, at mag-recruit papalabas ng bansa ng ating workers, (It is a language center, not a recruitment agency. According to the law, only recruitment agencies are allowed to hire, offer employment, and recruit workers for deployment abroad),” Alcantara stressed.
He also emphasized the strict requirements for obtaining a recruitment agency license, stating, “Para maging recruitment agency ka, kailangan dumaan ka sa matindi at masinsin na scrutiny ng Department of Migrant Workers kasi malaking responsibilidad yan (To become a recruitment agency, you must undergo strict and thorough scrutiny by the Department of Migrant Workers because it is a huge responsibility).”
This incident marks the sixth similar case recorded this year and the third in Mindanao, following previous operations in Panabo and General Santos City.
Alcantara warned individuals engaging in unauthorized recruitment, saying, “Hangga’t may panahon, hangga’t wala pa kami dyan, tigil-tigilan niyo na. Malaking sakit sa ulo ito—habang buhay na pagkakakulong ito pag napatunayan natin na nagre-recruit kayo na wala kayong lisensya.”
(While there's still time, before we get there, you better stop. This is a big headache — it's a lifetime imprisonment if we prove that you're recruiting without a license.)
VoxPop Davao attempted to reach out to Davao Ohayou staff for their side of the story, but they declined to comment.
The DMW continues its investigation to identify those involved and gather further evidence to strengthen the case. KBP
