The Philippine Consulate General in Milan on Tuesday said that criminal charges against individuals behind Alpha Assistenza SRL are expected to be filed in "two weeks."

In a statement, the consulate said it expects cases of aggravated fraud against officials of Alpha Assistenza SRL to be filed in two weeks by Bruno de Blasi, the Italian lawyer selected to represent the 100 complainants based in Italy.

The Philippine Consulate General in Milan on Tuesday said that criminal charges against individuals behind Alpha Assistenza SRL are expected to be filed in "two weeks."

In a statement, the consulate said it expects cases of aggravated fraud against officials of Alpha Assistenza SRL to be filed in two weeks by Bruno de Blasi, the Italian lawyer selected to represent the 100 complainants based in Italy.

Alpha Assistenza SRL, an Italy-based immigration consultancy firm, allegedly duped over 400 Filipinos who paid exorbitant fees for relatives in the Philippines seeking to work in Italy.

After submitting the competitive proposal among four lawyers who expressed interest in the case, the consulate awarded De Blasi the contract to provide legal services to the complainants on 19 November.

De Blasi will represent the Filipinos in Italy who were said to have paid at least 2,500 euros, or about P153,000, each to Alpha Assistenza led by Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro.

"The hiring of a lawyer to represent the complainants against Alpha Assistenza in Italy was among the recommendations made by Consul General Elmer Cato to the Department of Foreign Affairs as early as 31 August 2023," the consulate said.

It noted that the recommendation came a few days after the consulate launched an investigation into the complaints filed by an initial nine individuals against Alpha Assistenza CEO Respicio.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo approved the endorsement of Migrant Workers Affairs Undersecretary Jose Eduardo de Vega to assist the complainants using the Department of Foreign Affairs Legal Assistance Fund.

On Monday, a total of 48 of at least 62 victims of Alpha Assistenza filed parallel complaints against Respicio and Dutaro before the Philippine Department of Justice.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has vowed to ensure justice is served to the victims of the allegedly fraudulent scheme.

DoJ prosecutor, Atty. Luigi Bonoan, said they would evaluate the complaints versus Alpha thoroughly while refusing to give a timetable on when the cases would be filed.

He said they would determine the exact culpability of Alpha Assistenza. The company, he added, lacked a license to recruit workers for Italy.