A visa consultancy firm operator was arrested in Iloilo City for alleged estafa and illegal recruitment of Filipinos seeking job opportunities in New Zealand.
The arrest of the suspect, identified as Julie Pearl Robejes, and two others was carried out by the La Paz police station on Aug. 13.
The Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Iloilo City issued the arrest warrants on March 23 in connection with criminal charges filed against the three.
Robejes is accused of violating Article 315 (Estafa) of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act 10022.
A total of 13 cases for estafa and syndicated illegal recruitment — seven through the DMW-6 and six through the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) — were filed against the suspect.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Robejes of Paragon Visa Consultancy allegedly recruited applicants in 2025 for non-existent jobs in New Zealand.
The suspect purportedly guaranteed employment across various trades and professions in exchange for processing fees ranging between P100,000 and P300,000.
“Para sa mga aplikanteng hindi kayang bayaran ang kinakailangang halaga, umano’y nire-refer sila ni Robejes sa mga loan agent upang makalikom ng pambayad sa kanilang recruitment-related expenses,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
“Gayunman, pagdating ng ilang complainant sa New Zealand, wala umano silang nadatnang trabahong ipinangako sa kanila. Ang ilan ay walang ready employment, habang ang iba naman ay nakapagtrabaho ngunit sa mga posisyong iba sa mga unang ipinangako sa kanila,” he continued.
The DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau urged other victims to reach out through its official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip) for free legal assistance, or to visit a DMW office or the nearest police station to file a complaint.IMT
