Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Cebu

Annie Perez

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754896355754cropped-Screen Shot 2025-08-11 at 3.11.28 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">DMW-7 Regional Director Jhaoden Lucero said they are still monitoring other establishments in Cebu that may be involved in illegal recruitment.</span></span></span></div><p>CEBU CITY — Two language centers in Cebu province were ordered closed on Monday by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for their alleged involvement in illegal recruitment.</p><p>The centers were located in Barangay Linao-Lipata in Minglanilla town and in Barangay Cogon, Cebu City.</p><p>According to Eric Dollete, director of the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau, the establishments posed as training centers, but were also engaged in recruitment activities.</p><p>The first one sends applicants to Japan for the Specified Skilled Worker Program and the second does “recruitment by referral.&quot; This was done after the students complete their language proficiency certification for Japan.</p><p>“Referral is actually recruitment and placement. If you don’t have authority from the Department of Migrant Workers, that’s considered illegal recruitment,” said Dollete.</p><p>The operations of both were shut down immediately following a closure order from the department.</p><p>Dollete said they will now ask the local government units to look into the business permits of the establishments.</p><p>“We will recommend to the office of the mayor to cancel their license and business permit,” Dollete said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CEBU SURVIELLANCE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>DMW-7 Regional Director Jhaoden Lucero said they are still monitoring other establishments in Cebu that may be involved in illegal recruitment.</p><p>“It is posible siguro. On going ang aming surveillance on these illegal recruitment activities,” Lucero said.</p><p>This is the second and third closure in Cebu for the month of August.</p><p>They are reminding visa consultancy and language centers to stick to their authorized service.</p><p>“Just operate on that, don’t offer other work that is not included in their authority,” Lucero said in Cebuano.</p><p>They are now coordinating with the victims of both establishments for financial and legal assistance.</p><p>In their defense, one of the owners of the firm said that they are only engaged in language training.</p><p>“We are not recruiting students, the students know,” said owner “Mark.&quot;</p><p>The DMW is now readying to file complaints of illegal recruitment against both establishments.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AzDAlbqN5jE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Migrant Workers reminded visa consultancy and language centers to stick to their authorized services.</p>

The Department of Migrant Workers reminded visa consultancy and language centers to stick to their authorized services.

2 language centers in Cebu ordered closed for 'recruitment' activities

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2 language centers in Cebu ordered closed for 'recruitment' activities

Annie Perez

Published August 11, 2025 03:13 PM PHT

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