November 15, 2025
by Mellisse Geisha Jamora
On November 7, 2025, graduating fourth-year students of the Asian International School of Aeronautics and Technology (AISAT) participated in an Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking-in-Persons (AIRTIP) Campaign Seminar on Thursday morning at MAIS Hall Homitori, conducted by the Department of Migrant Workers – Regional Office XI. The seminar focuses on educating soon-to-be graduates on the dangers of illegal recruitment and human trafficking as they prepare to embark on the realities of employment. It is anchored in the theme “Magpabiling Alerto, Ayaw Pa-ilad”, which is a call out to all Filipinos seeking opportunities outside the country to remain cautious and vigilant.
Sir James Bautista, who guided the flow of the event as the emcee, opened the program by highlighting significant reminders relevant to the program, such as the increasing risks faced by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). “OFWs are the heroes of the nation, yet they are also among the most targeted by illegal recruiters,” he said, urging students to remain informed and aware. Furthermore, he also stressed that with nearly two million OFWs deployed worldwide, illegal recruiters continue to prey on those uninformed about proper overseas employment procedures.
The seminar was led primarily by Ms. Laisa Bucag, who provided an in-depth discussion regarding the vulnerabilities that make Filipinos susceptible to trafficking and illegal recruitment. Her explanation included several factors like poverty, unemployment, lack of information, peer pressure, and the strong culture of migration, which contribute to why many applicants fall victim to fraudulent offers. “Young job seekers are often targeted because they are eager to find opportunities and may not yet be aware of the risks,” she said as a form of encouragement for the students to be critical and cautious about different types of false opportunities they might encounter.
Sir Eron Mark B. Adlit, also a representative of the Department of Migrant Workers, delivered informative briefings on overseas employment regulations. He discussed the Republic Act 11641, the law establishing the DMW as the primary government agency responsible for protecting OFWS. Adlit explained the correct and legal pathways in processing for work abroad. These are agency hiring and government-to-government hiring. According to Article 18 of PD 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines, direct hiring of Filipino workers for overseas employment is prohibited; however, one can still apply for a ban exemption. In addition, he also stressed the importance of checking the DMW website at https//dmw.gov.ph if a person wants to verify recruitment agencies or is looking for a job or position in line with their degree. There are also instances where countries in bilateral agreements with the Philippines, particularly those in need of Filipino workers, allow Filipino job seekers to directly apply through the website. He also warned students against paying placement fees in advance and reminded them that such fees should never exceed one month’s salary and must only be paid after signing a legitimate employment contract.
Both speakers also highlighted several schemes commonly utilized by illegal recruiters, including online job scams, escort operations at airports, tourist-worker arrangements, student or trainee fraud, and various social media-based tactics. They emphasized that any recruitment activity conducted outside licensed agencies or any offer requiring immediate payment through remittance centers should be treated with suspicion. Throughout the symposium, the DMW speakers reiterated a central reminder that legitimate overseas employments always follow proper documentation and government-regulated processes. Any shortcuts or schemes that involve evading proper government procedures could lead to exploitation. “Easy promises often lead to hard lessons.” Ms. Bucag cautioned.
The AIRTIP seminar concluded with a strong call for AISAT graduating students to be vigilant at all times. By providing clear guidelines, real-world examples, and practical advice, the DMW XI aims to encourage students to make informed and careful decisions when exploring and pursuing local and overseas employment opportunities. The activity serves as part of the government’s continuous effort to protect future Filipino workers and save those who are victimized by trafficking and illegal recruitment. The first step into a successful professional career is knowing.