THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has vowed to tighten its screening of foreigners applying for alien employment permits (AEPs) amid raids on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) employing foreign workers who either do not have proper documents or have used fraudulent documents.

"Aside from the scrutinizing documents and the submission of the requirements, our frontliners in regional offices are also conducting inspections especially here in the National Capital Region because the concentration of those applying for an AEP is here," Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in Filipino in a radio interview.

The labor chief said they also have a data-sharing agreement with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to ensure that illegal workers will not be able to enter the country.

Among the documents required for AEP applicants include a photocopy of the passport's bio page, employment contract and appropriate visas — 9(a) visa for new applicants and 9(g) visa for those seeking renewal of AEPs.

"We also ensure that no qualified Filipino workers would be replaced or displaced by the application and grant of AEPs to foreigners," Laguesma said.

The labor chief said they are also coordinating with other agencies involved in the hiring of foreign nationals for them to come up with the necessary adjustments in policies on AEP issuance.