Cebu City, Philippines – Hundreds of teachers from Visayas and Mindanao gathered at a hotel in Cebu City, hoping to land a teaching job in Alaska, USA. But instead of a golden opportunity, they found themselves at an unauthorized recruitment event that was immediately shut down by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Regional Office VII (RO-VII).
Why Was the Recruitment Stopped?
A surprise inspection was led by DMW RO-VII Officer-in-Charge Maria Eloida O. Cantona and officials from the Migrant Workers Protection Division. They found that the recruitment operation was missing a crucial document—the Letter of Authority (LOA).
The LOA is an official permit from DMW that allows recruitment agencies to hold interviews and screenings outside their registered offices. Without it, any hiring process is considered illegal.
“They failed to present their LOA, so we had to shut them down immediately,” said Cantona.
What Was Wrong with the Process?
No licensed recruitment agency was present.
School principals and superintendents conducted interviews without proper authorization.
The event violated standard overseas job placement procedures.
DMW Warns the Public! 
Cantona reminded job seekers to be extra careful when applying for work abroad.
“These illegal recruitments seem convincing, but they are dangerous. Always check if a recruitment agency is licensed and verify job postings on the official DMW website,” she said.
What’s Next?
Alaska Deputy Commissioner of Labor Nelson San Juan confirmed that they received a report about the incident.
No arrests were made, but the DMW is closely monitoring similar cases.
The public is urged to report suspicious recruitment activities immediately.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe! 
With more Filipinos seeking work abroad, illegal recruitment is on the rise. Don’t fall for scams—always verify before applying!
Want to work overseas? Check job orders on the DMW website to avoid illegal recruiters!
