Manhunt launched vs ex-BFP officer for illegal recruitment


The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a nationwide manhunt for a former officer of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for her alleged involvement in large scale illegal recruitment.

Wanted illegal recruiter's house in Bulacan.jpg

Authorities failed to serve an arrest warrant in the City of Malolos, Bulacan on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 29, 2025, against the suspect for large scale illegal recruitment. (Freddie Velez)

 

A joint team from the Provincial Intelligence Unit and the Malolos police in Bulacan attempted to serve an arrest warrant on SFO2 Reyca Janisa Palpallatoc of Barangay Longos, Malolos City, on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 29. 

The warrant was issued by Judge Ronald August Tan of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 297 for illegal recruitment in large scale under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022.

The police operation was witnessed by local media, but upon reaching Palpallatoc’s residence, authorities found the house locked, with a vehicle parked outside that appeared to have been unused for some time.

"We rarely see the people who live in that house. She returned home in August 2024, but the next day, she left in a hurry. Since then, we haven’t seen her again," a neighbor told the police.

Investigators also coordinated with the homeowners' association and visited several locations linked to Palpallatoc, including her former BFP office and addresses in Quezon City, Calamba, and Laguna.

However, the suspect remained at large and is believed to have fled to Indonesia.

Authorities alleged that Palpallatoc used her position at the BFP to lure victims with false promises of government jobs. In addition to the criminal case, she is also facing administrative complaints filed with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for immorality and professional misconduct.

One of the complaints was filed by Faiza Utualali who accused Palpallatoc of having an illicit relationship with her husband, a former Marine officer.

Investigators are also looking into Palpallatoc’s mother and live-in partner, both BFP employees, as possible accomplices in her escape.

Authorities are determining whether they were also behind the illegal recruitment scheme and obstruction of justice.

Shortly after the arrest warrant was issued, Palpallatoc reportedly resigned from the BFP in December 2024.

The PNP urged anyone with information on Palpallatoc’s whereabouts to report it to the nearest police station.