Cops arrest 7 people in QC for illegal recruitment involving P43M fees, 3 more hunted
Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have arrested six people for alleged illegal recruitment following the complaint of a total of 177 victims during an operation in Quezon City.
NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., said the recruitment agency where the seven arrested people are working were able to amass around P43 million from all the victims who were allegedly promised jobs in Canada, Poland, New Zealand and Australia.
Nabbed were Aida Agpas, 43; Mae Angeline Miranda, 30; Liezle Calantoc, 30; Marc Devin Cachero, 23; Vivian Puzon, 37; and Edelyn Gines, 28; and, Raymund Rodrigo.
Nartatez said follow-up operations are now being conducted against three others identifed as Alexander Natividad, Pearly Sanchez, and Elizeus Bautista Butchrah, who carries the aliases “Enrico Romualdez” and “Zues Alfaye”.
The operation conducted on the office of the suspects in Barangay Ramon Magsaysay on Monday morning, Oct. 9, stemmed from the complaints of the victims who told the police that they were promised jobs abroad in exchange for the payment of between P200,000 to P300,000.
The suspects allegedly promised easy and fast processing of job applications but when some of the suspects verified the promised jobs of the agency, the supposed employers denied connection with the agency.
“This prompted the victims to file complaint and resulted in the arrest of the suspects and confiscation of pieces of evidence,” said Nartatez.
Seized during the operation were a van; a business permit; cash amounting to P100,000; and several documents.
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, or illegal recruitment.