Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday called for a Senate investigation into the reported multi-million-peso illegal recruitment of Filipinos seeking jobs in Italy.
Meanwhile, a party-list legislator called on concerned government agencies to file appropriate charges against the persons suspected of complicity in the scam.
Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 816 over reports that hundreds of prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were charged exorbitant placement and consultancy fees for non-existent jobs.
The immigration consultancy firm victimizing OFWs was identified as Alpha Assistenza SRL reportedly headed by Filipino Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro.
The victims were lured into believing that they land jobs in
Italy after paying Alpha Assistenza at least 2500 euros (P120, 000) while some of admitted to paying 5780 euros (P347, 140.00).
Tulfo said Alpha Assistenza SRL had no legal personality to process the work visa applications of Filipinos seeking jobs in Italy.
Tulfo noted that Alpha’s scheme involved the use of bogus work permits (nulla osta) which the OFWs only discovered as fake when these were presented at the visa processing center.Sixty eight complainants had already filed formal complaints against Alpha with the Department of Justice in Manila.
The Philippine embassy in Italy has alerted the Public Prosecutors Office in Rome, the SUI, the Questura and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the alleged large-scale fraud.
Tulfo also cited the need to investigate the claims of some victims about supposed “non-action” by the Philippine consulate in Milan.
In filing SR No. 816, Tulfo stressed the need to “reviewing existing laws and policies on illegal recruitment and adopting other legislative measures to curb the proliferation of such vicious acts.”
KABAYAN Rep. Ron Salo urged the DMW to collaborate closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, and Italian authorities to carry on the task.
“Recent reports (not in the Standard) have highlighted a distressing situation where Filipino jobseekers were allegedly defrauded of substantial amounts for non-existent jobs in Italy,” Salo, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said.
In a statement, Salo stressed the necessity of a unified effort between the DMW, DFA, the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, and Italian law enforcement agencies.
“The alleged crimes were committed within the jurisdiction of Italy, making it imperative to coordinate with the Italian authorities to ensure that justice is served. In criminal law, territorial jurisdiction is fundamental, and collaboration with local authorities is crucial to bring the perpetrators to account for their actions,” Salo said.
“It is of utmost importance that we swiftly and effectively address this distressing situation faced by our overseas Filipino workers in Italy. Cooperation between our government agencies and Italian authorities is essential to ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law.
“We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families, and we will do everything within our power to bring those responsible to justice,” Salo added.
He urged the DMW, DFA, and the Philippine Consulate General in Milan to expedite efforts in assisting the victims, providing legal support, and ensuring that those involved in these illegal activities face the consequences of their actions.
Salo also called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other local authorities to investigate and apprehend their accomplices operating in the Philippines. I also call on the families of the victims to fully cooperate with the authorities to quickly resolve this matter.