According to an official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Italy remains the top choice of victims of illegal recruiters in the Philippines.

NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD) chief Romulo Asis said they receive an average of 225 complaints from illegal recruitment victims per month. Many of them were supposed to be on their way to Italy.

Asis said most of the victims were 25- to 35-year-old single females who were willing to work as domestic helpers or waitresses.

The official stressed that applicants should always verify the identities and status of their recruitment agencies with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration before signing papers with their agents.