Philippines – Seven aspiring overseas Filipino workers are safe today after government officials pulled them out of a rundown, unregistered accommodation in Ermita, Manila. The workers had been waiting there to be deployed to Dubai, where they were promised jobs as hotel housekeeping staff.
How the Rescue Started
According to a statement from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the operation took place on September 24, 2026. It was triggered when one of the applicants approached a DMW booth during the “Handog ng Pangulo” event in Pasay City on September 14. That applicant reported having little food and staying in poor living conditions.
The tip prompted DMW-NCR to inspect the facility. What officials found was troubling.
What Officials Found Inside
When the team arrived, the seven applicants were living in a space described as:
- Hot and poorly ventilated
- Cramped and overcrowded
- Dirty and unmaintained
The applicants said their stay in the facility was tied to their expected hotel jobs abroad. All of them were still waiting for their deployment papers to be processed while stuck in these conditions.
Who Led the Operation
The rescue was led by DMW-NCR Regional Director Atty. Ace Falconi Millar. He worked alongside several agencies and local groups, including:
- The Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB)
- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
- Barangay officials
- Local police
After the operation, the seven applicants were temporarily transferred to Kabayan Hotel. They will stay there while the investigation continues and while officials arrange further assistance for them.
Atty. Millar made the agency’s stance clear. He said the DMW will not allow OFWs and hopeful applicants to be placed in dangerous, unregistered, and substandard accommodations. Their safety, dignity, and welfare come first, he stressed, and the department will act the moment someone asks for help.
A Reminder for Every Applicant
If you are getting ready to work abroad, take time to check your recruiter, your recruitment arrangements, and the place where you will stay. These small steps can protect you from serious harm.
The DMW also urges applicants to report anything that puts their safety at risk right away.
To report suspected illegal recruitment or human trafficking, you can reach the DMW-NCR Migrant Workers Protection Division through these channels:
- Hotline: (02) 87268909
- Email: ncr@dmw.gov.ph
- Facebook: DMW-NCR-Migrant Workers Protection Division
Your safety matters, and help is only one message away.