Two alleged illegal recruiters have been arrested in an entrapment operation in Paco, Manila, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Monday, June 19.
The NBI identified the two suspects as Marisa Rumbaoa Ursulum and Michelle C. Dichoso who were arrested by agents of the NBI’s Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) last June 13.
It said they have been charged before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Republic Act No. 8402, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended.
The NBI said the operation and subsequent arrest of the suspects stemmed from the report of a male complainant who claimed he was offered employment as a fisherman in Korea with a $400 monthly salary after contacting last June 9 the Facebook account “Asarim Rumbaoa” which claimed being connected with Hard Earned Opportunities, Inc., an alleged licensed recruitment agency.
The complainant told the NBI that after visiting Ursulum at her office last June 13, he got suspicious after being asked to pay P35,000 in processing fee. The NBI also said the complainant did not see licenses and permits displayed in the office.
The complainant said he decided to contact Hard Earned Opportunities and inquire about Ursulum.
“Complainant was informed that Subject is neither an employee nor connected with the said recruitment agency, and does not have job order for fisherman in Korea,” the NBI said.
During the entrapment operation, the NBI said that its CCD operatives swooped down on the establishment after Dichoso accepted marked money received from the complainant who was accompanied by an undercover agent.