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DMW shuts down 3 language training centers for 'illegal recruitment, human trafficking'

Philippines | National

DMW shuts down 3 language training centers for 'illegal recruitment, human trafficking'

By Martin Sadongdong

DMW Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia and MWPB Director IV Geraldine Mendez closed the IWA language center in Malolos, Bulacan on May 16, 2025 for allegedly referring their students to agencies illegally for jobs abroad. (Photo: DMW)

DMW Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia and MWPB Director IV Geraldine Mendez closed the IWA language center in Malolos, Bulacan on May 16, 2025 for allegedly referring their students to agencies illegally for jobs abroad. (Photo: DMW)

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) closed three language training centers allegedly involved in illegal recruitment and human trafficking during simultaneous operations in Bulacan and Cebu on Friday, May 16.

Ordered closed were the IWA Language Learning Center in Malolos, Bulacan; Aseanway Learning and Development Center in Calumpit, Bulacan; and Aseanway Learning and Development Center Cebu branch in Lapu-Lapu City.

The DMW explained that IWA Language Training Center started operations only this year with a modus of referring their students to their partner recruitment agencies after they finished their training.

The language center is allegedly asking P50,000 to P70,000 from their trainees in exchange for jobs in Japan, Korea, and some European countries as factory workers, hotel staff, agriculture workers, and fruit pickers.

DMW Undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services Bernard Olalia said that the language center is not authorized to hire and refer workers for jobs abroad.

The two other learning centers allegedly had the same modus operandi of referring their trainees to their partner agencies.

Olalia said the DMW has launched a full-blown investigation on the identities of the registered owners of the establishments due to the possibility of the businesses being run by a single person or family.

Related Tags

DMW illegal recruitment human trafficking language training center

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