Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

MANILA - The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said Wednesday it cancelled the licenses of 10 private agencies for deploying Filipinos overseas despite being cited for recruitment violations.

One recruitment agency was ordered suspended for 4 months, POEA administrator Bernard Olalia told reporters.

Olalia said the POEA was resolving complaints against some recruiters sending Filipinos to Kuwait, where the death of domestic helper Joanna Demafelis sparked public outrage and prompted the government to halt the deployment of Filipino workers to the Middle East state.

"Usually, nagkakaroon ng cancellation of license because of the severity of the offense or the frequency of the violations," Olalia said.

(Cancellation of licenses usually happen because of the severity of the offense or the frequency of the violations.)

"In the coming days or weeks to come we will be resolving other pending cases," he said.

Once a recruiter's license is cancelled, it is no longer allowed to process pending papers.

"But the obligation and responsibilities with respect to the joint and solidary liability with the foreign recruitment agency and employer stays," he said.

The POEA also announced that appropriate charges will be filed against 5 of its employees for deploying first time OFWs under a program meant for those who had worked abroad before.