PNP revisits list of illegal recruiters after Duterte order

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it had started to revisit its list of illegal recruiters previously arrested or charged after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a crackdown against illegal recruitment that mostly victimizes those who would want to work abroad.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a press briefing that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had been tapped to revisit the list on the directive of PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa.

He said this would allow the police to check if those in its record had returned to their unlawful activities.

Gamboa made this directive to the CIDG after President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to launch a crackdown on illegal recruiters, who he likened to drug peddlers.

“You recruiters, I am putting you on the level of those dealing in shabu [crystal meth],” the President, speaking in Filipino, said in his speech at the awarding of child-friendly cities and municipalities in Malacañang.

“I am angry at recruiters who make fool of Filipinos. I am angry about it, and I can really kill you for what is happening to Filipinos,” he added.

/atm