THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) intensified its campaign against modern-day slavery and fraudulent employment schemes by partnering with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for the Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (AIRTIP) campaign.
Representing city director Col Peter B. Madria, Lt Col Nolan R. Raquid, deputy city director for administration, led the series of comprehensive seminars aimed at equipping aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with the tools to identify and avoid exploitation.
The campaign featured legal experts and labor officers, including Atty. Jilianne Paula L. Ampog and labor officials, Tawny Claire Labos and Alily Grace Sardenola.
The speakers pulled back the curtain on the latest trends used by illegal recruiters, emphasizing that vigilance is the first line of defense.
“The goal is to ensure that every job seeker is knowledgeable about lawful procedures and the government assistance mechanisms available to them,” the DCPO stated.
Among the lessons the participants learned were the following:
- Mandatory Verification: Always verifying recruitment agencies through official DMW channels.
- Adherence to Process: Strictly following legal employment application phases to avoid “fast-track” scams.
- Active Reporting: Encouraging the community to report suspicious social media offers or unauthorized recruiters immediately.
Major Teresita P. Gaspan, acting chief of the City Investigation and Detection Management Unit, emphasized that the fight against trafficking cannot be won by a single agency.
“Inter-agency collaboration and community cooperation are crucial in sustaining this fight,” Gaspan said during her closing remarks.
She reaffirmed that the DCPO remains proactive in protecting vulnerable individuals from falling prey to international trafficking syndicates.
By strengthening the bridge between law enforcement and labor regulators, the DCPO aims to transform Davao City into a “hard target” for illegal recruiters, ensuring that Davaoeño workers are protected by the law.
