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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP, DMW arrest 'illegal recruiter' in Laguna raid, 33 victims rescued

PNP, DMW arrest 'illegal recruiter' in Laguna raid, 33 victims rescued

Published Feb 24, 2023 12:23 am
Joint operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and personnel of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) raided and shut down the office of one of the alleged big-time illegal recruitment ring operating in Laguna. DMW Secretary Susan Ople said the operation in Paete, Laguna led to the arrest of 39-year-old Jonnalyn M. Sebastian who allegedly claims to be a “coordinator” of a "government-to-government program" of a “licensed recruitment agency” to fool victims. “The operation also led to the rescue of 33 overseas job applicants. Given the sheer number of complainants, Sebastian faces a non-bailable offense and possibly, a lifetime of jail time,"  said Ople.                                                                           (photo: DMW)  It started based on the surveillance operations by the DMW’s Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch (AIRB) after receiving complaints from three overseas job applicants that they were being charged from P100,000 to P350,000 in “advance placement fees” for “guaranteed” jobs as caregivers in Malta and Malaysia.  Applicants became suspicious when Sebastian failed to deploy them after a considerable amount of time. It was then that they decided to seek the assistance of the DMW.  The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Trafficking in Persons (TIP) unit as well as Laguna provincial police operatives supported the DMW in the conduct operation. "We thank the PNP and the province of Laguna for their full support to the DMW's fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking," Ople said. Ople said they are now assisting all 33 rescued illegal recruitment victims in documenting their complaints prior to the filing of cases against Sebastian.  “She will be charged with large-scale illegal recruitment activities tantamount to economic sabotage which is a non-bailable offense,” said Ople.  Sebastian was taken to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for inquest proceedings earlier this morning.  Follow-up operations, meanwhile, are being conducted by the PNP’s Trafficking in Persons unit against Sebastian’s husband and two other accomplices.     
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