DFA exec vows legal aid for scam victims

Filipino victims of the alleged recruitment scam perpetrated by the Italy-based Alpha Assistenza SRL will be given all the support that they need, the Department of Foreign Affairs, or DFA, assured on Saturday as it sent a key official to the European state.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega flew to Milan on Friday to meet with the Filipino victims of the scam.

"I came here as President [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr.] cares for your welfare, and it will be a concerted joint effort by all agencies as we work together to assist you in this matter," he said.

According to De Vega, the DFA will provide legal funding for their planned class action in court against the immigration consultancy firm owned by couple Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro.

Respicio and Dutaro allegedly duped about 400 Filipinos in the Philippines and Italy of 3,000 euros each (roughly P181,000) in exchange for non-existent jobs.

De Vega said the Filipino victims were also given a free hand to select lawyers of their choice who would represent them in this legal action.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla assured victims in the country of justice as the National Bureau of Investigation and DoJ prosecutors prepare to file charges against the immigration consultation firm.

Scam exposed via program

The DAILY TRIBUNE's Usapang OFW assisted victims of the alleged recruitment scam in filing formal complaints against Respicio and Dutaro.

De Vega noted that while the legal battle to prosecute those behind the alleged recruitment racket would take some time, the Philippine Consulate in Milan will "continue to work on this issue and will be coordinating with the lawyers to be hired."

The Italian Embassy in Manila had previously reminded Filipinos dreaming of working in Italy to "exercise due diligence and ensure that he or she is properly and fully informed of the correct procedures to be followed, avoiding 'shortcuts' not contemplated by the law."

Earlier last week, Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Proposed Senate Resolution 814, calling for an investigation into the alleged bogus recruitment activities of Alpha Assistenza SRL.