Senator Raffy Tulfo file picture (Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation on the suspected cases of fraud and illegal recruitment activities in Italy which have allegedly victimized over 200 Filipinos.
Tulfo filed Senate Resolution No. 816 early this week following reports that hundreds of Filipino victims “were charged exorbitant placement and consultancy fees for jobs that turned out to be non-existent.”
The senator chairs Senate committee on migrant workers.
In a statement on Thursday, Tulfo said Alpha Assistenza SRL — the consultancy firm allegedly victimizing Filipinos – is headed by Filipino chief executive officers Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro.
“According to the Overseas Filipino Worker victims, they were lured into believing that they will get jobs in Italy after paying Alpha Assistenza at least 2500 euros [or] P120,000, while some of them admitted to paying a total of 5780 euros [or] P347,140,” said Tulfo.
“Alpha Assistenza SRL had no legal personality whatsoever to process the work visa applications of Filipinos seeking jobs in Italy,” he added.
Tulfo then disclosed that the Philippine embassy in Italy has alerted the Public Prosecutors Office in Rome and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on the alleged large-scale fraud.
The allegations about the supposed “non-action” by the Philippine consulate in Milan surrounding this case should also be investigated, said the lawmaker.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza told reporters on Wednesday that the Philippine Consulate in Milan “continues to assist Filipinos who have filed complaints” against the consultancy firm.
As of October 3, Daza said there are 60 complainants who have requested the assistance of the consulate.
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