Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), and Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns.73 “Among the general functions of the task force is to develop and execute strategies and schemes against the modus operandi of illegal recruiters, human traffickers and recruiters of minor workers; development and execution of strategies against syndicates responsible for tampering of birth records, securing spurious passports and travel documents; and recommend to the labor secretary the prosecution of recruiters of minors, human traffickers and illegal recruiters and syndicates, their cohorts, protectors, and coddlers. “The task force also has the power to conduct surveillance and entrapment operations of persons believed engaged in illegal recruitment; and cause or direct the immediate investigation and speedy prosecution of cases involving illegal recruitment; coordinate with existing bodies, agencies, and other instrumentalities currently involved in the campaign against illegal recruitment, recruitment of minor workers and trafficking in persons. “The task force can also request for the assistance of lawyers, operatives and support staff from the DOLE and its attached agencies and bureaus in such number as circumstances and exigency of service may require. There will be Task Forces from the DOLE Regional Offices, in coordination with Local Government Units and regional agencies and the regional task force’s operational and law enforcement arm will be the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG). They shall operate as a composite team with members of the Task Force.”74 It is clear from the foregoing that the current laws against illegal recruitment carry a strong capacity to potentially address the problem of illegal recruitment. The perceived problem areas are in public awareness for prevention, and the prosecution of illegal recruitment cases. In order to address the identified shortcomings in the implementation of existing laws against illegal recruitment, the following measures are recommended: 1. Include basic orientation on what illegal recruitment and human trafficking are all about, including legal remedies of migrants in case abuse and recruitment violation are committed, in the pre-employment and pre-departure seminars being given to OFWs. 2. Considering that the recruitment is often done in communities, especially in the provinces, there is need to equip and educate the local government units, especially at the barangay level with regards to Illegal recruitment and human trafficking. 3. Published information and education materials on illegal recruitment and human trafficking should be in the language and form that can be easily grasped by prospective OFWs. Social media should be maximized as platform to discuss the issues, 73 74 http://www.car.dole.gov.ph/default.php?retsamlakygee=756&resource=13dd621f27110108a10a 88e99fe9ceaf Ibid. 45