(Photo courtesy of NCRPO)
MANILA – Authorities arrested seven suspects engaged in large-scale illegal recruitment in Quezon City on Monday.
In a report on Tuesday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said the suspects Aida Agpas, Mae Angeline Miranda, Liezle Calantoc, Marc Devin Cachero, Vivian Puzon, Edelyn Gines and Raymundo Rodrigo were arrested in an operation at the Jewel Travel Documentation Service office in Barangay Bago Bantay.
The operation stemmed from the complaints of some 176 victims who told the police that they were promised jobs abroad in exchange for a payment ranging from PHP200,000 to PHP300,000.
Investigation showed that the recruitment agency where the suspects are working amassed around PHP43 million from the victims who were allegedly promised jobs in Canada, Poland, New Zealand and Australia.
Upon verification by the complainants, the supposed employers in the host countries denied ties with the recruitment agency.
Seized during the operation were a van, a business permit; cash worth PHP100,000 and several documents.
Nartatez said follow-up operations are now being conducted against three other suspects identified as Alexander Natividad, Pearly Sanchez, and Elizeus Bautista Buztrah, who carries the aliases “Enrico Romualdez” and “Zues Alfaye”.
The arrested suspects are now under police custody and facing charges related to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and violation of Republic Act 10022 (illegal recruitment). (PNA)
