The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has closed a language training center in Barangay Maa, Davao City for alleged illegal recruitment.

The establishment was closed, and no employees were present when DMW officials served the closure order.

Only the caretaker of the building was around as the center was reportedly open only every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Authorities padlocked the training center and posted DMW’s closure order.

“Yung pinaka-basic, kapag wala kang lisensya na galing sa DMW, hindi ka pwedeng mag-conduct ng kahit anong recruitment activities. So, unfortunately, yung language training center na ito, wala siya nung lisensya na ‘yun at napag-alaman sa ilang reports at vinalidate ang report ng ating mga operatiba, that they are actually conducting recruitment activities going to Japan,” DMW Assistant Secretary Atty. Francis Ron De Guzman said.

“Iba kasi yung certification galing sa TESDA. ‘Yung certificate na ‘yun para makapagturo ng Japanese. Pero ‘yung mismong pagde-deploy, may ibang lisensya ‘yun, at ‘yun yung lisensya na galing sa DMW, ‘yun ‘yung wala sila,” DMW Assistant Secretary Atty. Mario Perpetuo Soccoro Zinampan added.

Authorities have been monitoring the training center for several months.

“Nakatanggap tayo, initially, ng report galing sa ating Migrant Workers Office sa Tokyo and then sa pag-iinterview nila doon, may nag-inquire kasi na gustong pumunta ng Japan, so they referred it locally, dito sa atin. Sa ilang buwan na pag-oobserba, may iba rin tayong operatiba na nagpunta at tinry din nila na mag-apply, ‘yun nga napag-alam at napatunayan natin na nagka-conduct ng recruitment activity ang language training center na ito,” De Guzman said.

DMW is set to file charges against the management of the training center for illegal recruitment.

The agency is also investigating the recruitment agency allegedly tied to the center, emphasizing that only licensed recruiters listed on the DMW website are authorized to operate.

This marks the 14th closure of an establishment linked to illegal recruitment by the DMW this year.