MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has ordered the closure of a licensed recruitment agency and its partner travel consultancy firm in Manila for allegedly engaging in illegal recruitment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for jobs in Poland.

In a statement Friday, the DMW said it shut down Reiven Air Travel Tours & Consultancy, located in Malate, and Reliable Recruitment Corporation, a licensed agency based in Ermita. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Manila Police District, and resulted in the arrest of suspected illegal recruiters.

The agency said the crackdown follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the government’s campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking syndicates.

According to Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, Reiven Air had been acting as a recruiter despite not being licensed by the DMW, while Reliable had no approved job orders for the Poland-bound positions it was allegedly offering.

“Ang modus operandi po dito ay ‘yung kabit system, kung saan ang travel consultancy ay kumakabit sa isang licensed agency para magmukhang lehitimo ang kanilang operasyon,” Olalia said. “Ito po ay malinaw na illegal recruitment.”

The DMW explained that Reiven Air was responsible for advertising the jobs, assessing applicants, and collecting fees—charging up to ₱70,000 as a one-time, non-refundable processing fee for supposed work permits. Meanwhile, Reliable served as the “legal cover” for the scheme.

The jobs being offered included positions as fruit pickers, factory workers, truck drivers, and welders, with a promised monthly salary of ₱90,000.

Employees of Reiven Air reportedly claimed to be representatives of World Bridge Recruitment Spolka Z.O.O., a Poland-based firm with no authority to recruit Filipino workers.

The DMW said the closure of both offices means their staff will be added to the agency’s “List of Persons with Derogatory Record”, effectively banning them from any involvement in government-regulated overseas recruitment. They will also face criminal charges for illegal recruitment.

Meanwhile, Reliable faces license cancellation for its violations, the DMW added.

The operation marks the 16th closure by the DMW this year as it ramps up efforts to protect Filipino workers from illegal recruiters.