Republic Act No. 10022 provides the penalties for illegal recruitment, to wit:
Section 6. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 7. Penalties. -
"(a) Any person found guilty of illegal recruitment shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day but not more than twenty (20) years and a fine of not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) nor more than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00).
"(b) The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) nor more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) shall be imposed if illegal recruitment constitutes economic sabotage as defined therein.
"(c) Any person found guilty of any of the prohibited acts shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) nor more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).
"If the offender is an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties herein prescribed, be deported without further proceedings.
"In every case, conviction shall cause and carry the automatic revocation of the license or registration of the recruitment/manning agency, lending institutions, training school or medical clinic."
The Embassy strongly advises Filipinos to be cautious of illegal recruitment schemes and to refrain from dealing with individual/agencies luring unsuspecting OFWs to avoid becoming victims of illegal recruitment or human-trafficking. They may contact the Philippine Labor Office of the Embassy to check if any job being offered to them is legal and valid.
Below are 10 reminders from the POEA to avoid becoming victims of illegal recruitment.
SOURCE: (Philippine Embassy in Israel)