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CEBU, Philippines - An illegal recruiter who victimized more or less 30 persons in Cordova town was arrested during a raid conducted by the Cordova police early yesterday morning at his house in Barangay Tuyan, Naga City.

The suspect, 55-year-old Luciano Aliganga, married, was arrested by the police by virtue of an arrest warrant for 13 counts of estafa and another warrant for illegal recruitment in large scale. There was no bail recommended for the charges.

The warrant was signed by Judge Victor Teves Jr. of Branch 54, Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City.

Sr. Insp. Noli Sernio, chief of the Cordova Police Station, told The FREEMAN that Aliganga probably had other victims outside their municipality.

“Impossible nga Cordova lang kay once maka-kwarta naka you do the same modus sa other provinces,” Sernio said.

He added that the relatives of the suspect’s wife live in Cordova where he visits.

Aliganga was under surveillance for four times and arrested for the fifth time now. The Cordova police tagged him as one of the most wanted person in station level.

The National Bureau of Investigation also conducted a raid against Aliganga before but he was able to escape.

Sernio said they started the operation about 4:00 in the morning and successfully arrested the suspect about 7:45 in the morning.

He added that Aliganga attempted to resist and tried to elude arrest but he was held at gunpoint by one of the cops, prompting him to surrender.

The Cordova chief explained that Aliganga lured his victims by promising work abroad and that he will process the necessary documents. He then asked them for payment for the passport until he gets their trust.

“Makakuha gyud tuod siya ug passport human ana mangayo napud siya ug para bayad sa medical and clearances ba kaha until kung dako na siya’g makuha dili na siya mupakita,” Sernio said over a phone interview.

The Cordova police are now calling those who were victimized by illegal recruiters to appear to their station to check if it was Aliganga who duped them.

Sernio said that some of the victims will not file charges against Aliganga, who is now behind bars, if he will return the amount they have paid but if not, they will execute affidavits against him. – (FREEMAN)