Senator Raffy Tulfo is urging his fellow legislators to conduct an investigation into the reported illegal recruitment of more than 200 Filipinos who were each supposed to be paid P120,000 (€2,500) up to P347,140 (€5,780) for "non-existent jobs" in Italy.

Tulfo, chairs Senate committee on migrant workers, filed Senate Resolution No. 816 earlier this week, following reports that "hundreds of victims were charged by exorbitant placement and consultancy fees for jobs that turned out to be non-existent."

In a statement on Thursday, Tulfo said Alpha Assistenza SRL, the immigration consultancy firm allegedly victimizing Filipinos, is headed by Filipino chief executive officers Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro.

He then cited the testimonies of the victimized overseas Filipino workers who bared that they were lured by a promise of higher-paying jobs.

"Alpha Assistenza SRL had no legal personality whatsoever to process the work visa applications of Filipinos seeking jobs in Italy," he said.

Tulfo said about 68 complainants have already filed formal complaints before the Department of Justice in Manila.

He added that the Philippine embassy in Italy has likewise alerted the Public Prosecutors Office in Rome, the SUI, the Questura, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the alleged "large-scale fraud."

The allegations of victims on the supposed "non-action" by the Philippine consulate in Milan over the concern "should also be investigated," said Tulfo.

In filing SR 816, Tulfo stressed the need to "review existing laws and policies on illegal recruitment and adopt other legislative measures to curb the proliferation of such vicious acts."