NBI files raps against illegal recruiter

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed a complaint against a recruiter for large scale illegal recruitment and six counts of estafa before the City Prosecutor’s Office.

The NBI arrested Elizabeth Chua in a Cebu City mall during an entrapment operation last Monday.

NBI officials said more than 15 people went to their office seeking assistance against Chua and his partner, Rogelio Cariño Jr., believed to be the owner of the recruitment agency allegedly duping applicants.

Cariño is still at large.

Regula Batahan, Edna dela Cruz and Daisy Mae Avila said the accused promised to deploy them for work abroad.

“The accused promised to deploy us to Dubai and Malaysia to work for a hotel as receptionist and housekeeper,” the complainants said.

Chua allegedly ordered them to pay a placement fee of P25,000 for Batahan, P20,000 for Dela Cruz and Avila, P15,000.

The complainants said they trusted Chua because they considered her as their friend.

Chua told them they could fly abroad in two months but this did not happen.

Because of this, the complainants sought the assistance of the NBI, which found that Chua’s license with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency already expired.

The complaints added that after they paid the initial amount demanded, Chua again asked for an additional P10,000.

Kareon Maria Mirasol, another applicant from Mandaue, said they want their money back. She added that every time they ask about their deployment, they were merely told their visas were coming.

“For many weeks and months we waited, and now we discover that she is an illegal recruiter,” lamented Mirasol.

Chua, however, said their company is not a recruitment agency, but an “assessment agency.” She said she never recruited anybody for work abroad. – (FREEMAN)