DOLE mulls death for illegal recruiters

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is pushing for the inclusion of illegal recruitment in the crimes punishable by death.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she is calling on the incoming administration of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte to look into the possibility of imposing capital punishment against illegal recruiters since Duterte’s major thrust is combating crime.

Baldoz plans to submit to her successor a proposal calling for stiffer penalties for syndicated illegal recruitment.

The amended Migrant Workers Act imposes a life term if three or more people conspire in illegal recruitment.

“The law already provides the highest penalty of life imprisonment since it is considered as economic sabotage. So the death penalty for illegal recruitment could be considered,” Baldoz told reporters.

“Since many aspiring overseas Filipino workers are being victimized, illegal recruitment can already be considered a syndicated or heinous crime,” she added.

Duterte has announced his plan to restore the death penalty for heinous crimes once he assumes the presidency on June 30.

He said capital punishment should be imposed on criminals involved in illegal drugs, contract killings and other “heinous crimes” like rape and robbery with murder.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Hans Cacdac said the agency has recorded a decline in the number of cases of illegal recruitment being filed before the agency. But the government still needs to adopt an intensified campaign against illegal recruitment.

Baldoz also said the Duterte administration may also opt to promote return migration since there are now numerous jobs available locally.