MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) rescued 78 overseas Filipino worker applicants from an unregistered accommodation facility in Makati City on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The operation was conducted in Barangay Palanan following the implementation of a closure order on the facility, which was found to be operating without the required DMW clearance permit.
According to the DMW, the applicants identified Jenerick International Manpower Inc. as their recruitment agency. The applicants said they were being recruited for domestic work positions in several countries in Asia and the Middle East.
During the operation, authorities found that the applicants were staying in a facility that was not registered with the DMW. The agency verification also showed that the accommodation did not meet standards for housing applicants, citing inadequate space, poor ventilation, and unsafe living conditions.
Following the rescue, the DMW coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to assist the applicants, including the provision of temporary shelter and financial aid. The Makati City government assisted in the operation.
The DMW urges the public to immediately report any suspicious recruitment activities to help protect aspiring overseas workers from illegal recruitment and human trafficking, the agency said.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by OFW applicants in Metro Manila, where unregistered recruitment agencies and housing facilities continue to operate despite government efforts to regulate the industry. Makati City, being a major business hub, has seen similar operations in the past targeting illegal recruitment activities.
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