"Influential recruiter" faces criminal charges

CEBU, Philippines -  For allegedly recruiting five persons for employment abroad without license from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Adnan Sayed Anwar Ali Alkazim is now facing charges of estafa and large scale illegal recruitment before the Regional Trial Court.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Patrick Henri George, Christopher George, Marilyn “Duffi” Songa-George, Vanzen Gregory George and Sharon Abego who said they gave accused a total of P301, 000 to deploy them abroad.

According to the complainants, it was on or about November 15, 2010 to January 2011 when the Alkazim claimed to have many connections in the government agencies of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and yet the accused failed to deploy them abroad

City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon approved the findings of prosecutor Mario Edgardo Montenegro affirming the findings of Asst. City Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan who earlier reversed the ruling of prosecutor Mary Ann Castro.

In finding probable cause to indict Alkazim for both cases, Montenegro found “no cogent reason to reverse or alter the findings of Gidayawan recommending the filing of Information of estafa and illegal recruitment in large scale against respondent.”

Montenegro said the respondent “falsely pretended that he possessed power, qualifications, property, business, etc. which he made prior to or simultaneously with the commission of frauds.”

Although the prosecutor recommended P40, 000 bail for estafa, no bail has been recommended for large scale illegal recruitment.

POEA officer-in-charge Evelia Durato issued a certification that the accused has no license or authority to lawfully engage in the recruitment and placement of workers.

This case was initially handled by Castro who recommended the dismissal of the case for lack of merit.

However, on February 7, 2011, complainants filed a motion for reconsideration with a prayer for the inhibition of Castro.

City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon then instructed Prosecutor Gidayawan to resolve the motion filed by the complainants.

On March 18, 2011, Prosecutor Gidayawan reversed and set aside Castro’s earlier findings. He then filed the case after finding probable cause to indict Alkazim.

But, Alkazim through counsel filed consolidated motions for reconsideration and for Gidayawan’s inhibition.

City Prosecutor Sellon then instructed prosecutor Montenegro to resolve the motion filed by Alkazim.

Montenegro found probable cause to indict Alkazim and recommended for the filing of the cases in court. — (FREEMAN)