POEA wrapping up OEC probe, several officers ordered dismissed
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is set to release by January 2018 the results of its internal investigation on its personnel with alleged links to illegal recruiters.
Bernard Olalia, labor undersecretary and POEA officer-in-charge, said they are already wrapping up their probe on the irregularities in their overseas employment certificates (OEC) processing.
“By early next year, we will come out with the results. We are just waiting for the completion of interview of the witnesses against the persons who are guilty,” Olalia said, during the year-end press conference of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday.
Based on the initial results of the fact finding committee, Olalia said some POEA officers were already ordered dismissed.
He, however, refused to identify the said officers who can still appeal their case.
“We would tell their names in due time because as of now they are still entitled to due process,” Olalia said.
He said they are also investigating the recruitment agencies implicated by their witnesses in the case.
“All of them will be investigated. There will be no exemption,” Olalia said.
Aside from the dismissal of some of its officials, POEA earlier said its probe also resulted in the removal of 40 POEA security guards and janitors and a major revamp in its departments.
Once they complete their inquiry, Olalia said they would also file criminal and administrative cases against all parties involved in the illegal recruitment within POEA.
“For sure, we would be able to identify the culprits specifically POEA personnel who are involved,” Olalia said.
Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III ordered last month the suspension of its OEC processing for 15 working days to allow POEA to investigate how it is being used by illegal recruiters to victimize applicants.
POEA was unable to complete its probe within that duration.
Bello opted to officially lift the OEC processing suspension on December 3.