A Korean national was arrested in Davao City for allegedly recruiting Filipinos to work in South Korea illegally.

Personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) arrested the suspect identified as alias “Hyun,” 54, during an entrapment operation in Matina Enclaves, Quimpo Boulevard, Mc Arthur Highway on May 4, 2026.

CIDG said the suspect was allegedly caught accepting placement fee from a victim for an employment in Seoul, Korea without the required license from DMW to recruit overseas migrant workers, which made the activity illegal.

Authorities said the suspect was allegedly engaged in recruiting factory workers for jobs in South Korea.

With a processing fee of P28,000, workers are guaranteed a monthly salary of KRW 2,200,000 or around P92,000, including free accommodation and meals.

CIDG revealed that up to 40 individuals, 19 of whom are from Davao City, were allegedly victimized by the suspect, as of this writing.

“The primary purpose of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, is to institute higher standards of protection and promotion for the welfare of all workers, migrant workers, their families, and overseas Filipinos in distress,” CIDG said.

“The arrest of the suspect sends a clear message that the government affords full protection to labor both local and overseas to safeguard all Filipino from illegal recruitment and all forms of exploitation,” CIDG added.

CIDG assured the public that the agency has been relentless in combating all forms of criminality, including fraudulent job schemes and illegal recruitment.

“The Group is committed in the nation’s fight on illegal recruitment and economic sabotage; and ready to provide all the necessary support to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to dismantle fraudulent job schemes both on the ground and online,” CIDG said.