Illegal recruiter falls during entrapment

CEBU, Philippines - Waterfront police operatives arrested an illegal recruiter in an entrapment operation inside a church in Cebu City around 1 p.m. yesterday.

Suspected illegal recruiter Rosita Tumaodos, 50, a resident of Oslob, Cebu, was arrested inside Sto. Rosario Church along P. Del Rosario Street after receiving the marked money amounting to P3,500 from her victims.

Angelita Roda, 27, of Dapitan, Zamboanga and Ellen Ongue, 25, of Bohol, complained to Waterfront Police Station after their flight to Kuwait did not materialize despite giving initial down- payments to Tumaodos.

The complainants said that they already resigned from their respective works as sales clerks following assurance from Tumaodos that they will be leaving soon for Kuwait to work there as salesclerk and cashiers.

Roda has already paid P8,700 to the suspect while Onque gave an amount of P9,700.

SPO2 Rene Cerna, one of the arresting officers, said the victims came to their office and sought their assistance against the illegal activities of Tumaodos. They claimed after paying the initial amount, the suspect asked them another P3,500 each as processing fees.

“Nagduda na man ang mga biktima mao nga nidangop sila sa atoa ug kita ni-coordinate gyud ta sa POEA . Gani ang unang sabot adto sa E-Mall ang hinatagay sa kuwarta pero nausab mao nga diha ang nasabutan nga bayranay sa Sto. Rosario church,” Cerna said.

“Dili na man na pwede ang transaction ilabi na mag-binayranay sa gawas sa opisina kay klaro man kaayo na nga violation sa RA 8042 Migrant and Overseas Filipino Act. Besides wa man say opisina o recruitment agency ni ang suspect,” the police officer added.

In an interview over TV Patrol Central Visayas, Tumaodos clarified that there was a delay on the processing of papers of the complainants because her daughter gave birth but she assured them that there is work waiting for them in Kuwait.

Tumaodos said she only helped the complainants forward their papers to a recruitment agency. — Ramil V. Ayuman/WAB (THE FREEMAN)