10/13/2026
JUSTICE FOR HELPING HANDS IMMIGRATION SERVICES 17 PRESS CONFERENCE
Migrante BC with Justice for HHIS 17 : 17 Stories, 1 Stand and Damayan Society for Migrant Education and Resources today held a press conference at Voor Urban Labs to speak out against illegal recruiters Cherry May Ricafort and Vincent Macalipay, who scammed 17 of them (OFWs/TFWs) for thousands of dollars under the promise of LMIAs and work permits, but left them in precarious working and living conditions in hotels in Vancouver and farms in Keremeos.
The Justice for HHIS 17 told their stories of leaving their homeland in the pursuit of a better life for their families, only to be taken advantage for being newcomers to Canada by malevolent employers and scammers who labour trafficked them. They called out for support from the community, for the Helping Hands Immigration Services and Cherry May Ricafort and Vincent Macalipay to be held accountable, and for the Canadian government to investigate illegal recruiters and complicit employers.
Migrante BC and Damayan BC learned about their story in September and since then have been supporting them with public and legal action. They emphasized that this is not an isolated case as migrants are labour trafficked and treated as disposable under Canadian immigration policy, as well as forced to migrate from the Philippines. We called our for people to join our networks, to organize, and material support in terms of funds to support their day to day needs and lawyers as they pursue legal justice.
JUSTICE FOR THE HHIS 17!
REFUND THE STOLEN FUNDS! INVESTIGATE AND JAIL ILLEGAL RECRUITERS CHERRY MAY RICAFORT AND VINCENT MACALIPAY!
HOLD ACCOUNTABLE ILLEGAL RECRUITERS!
EXPEDITE THEIR IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS!
INVESTIGATE THE EMPLOYERS!
SAHOD ITAAS PRESYO IBABA! CREATE GENUINE JOBS AT HOME AND PROTECT MIGRANT WORKERS!
END LABOUR TRAFFICKING NOW!
END THE LABOUR EXPORT POLICY!
