Japanese, Pinay wife held by NBI agents

A Japanese businessman and his Filipina partner were arrested last Monday by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation for alleged illegal recruitment.

Arrested by agents of the NBI’s Anti-Illegal Recruitment Division were Haji Kobayashi, 34, club manager, and presently residing at 1121 Camarin Road, Caloocan City and Maria Arlene Frias, 39, of Block 9 Lot 1, Tidytips, Talon Village, Las Pinas City.

According to an NBI report, the suspects, who were arrested in an entrapment operation in Las Piñas City, allegedly defrauded a number of jobseekers by promising them non-existent jobs in Japan in exchange for P3,000 each. Two of their alleged victims, Alleili Lidut and Allan Remo sought the assistance of the NBI.

Investigation conducted by the NBI under Head Agent Arlis Vela showed Remo was approached by the suspects and allegedly offered a job in Japan.

However, the job promised to Remo did not materialize.

A check by the NBI with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed that the suspects are neither licensed nor authorized to recruit workers for overseas deployment.

According to the NBI, when Remo demanded the return of his money, Kobayashi and Frias allegedly asked him to pay an additional P1,000 allegedly to hasten his deployment.

The NBI said the suspects then told Remo to meet them at the food court of the ShoeMart South Mall in Las Piñas City last Monday.

At about 12 noon, Remo met the suspects at the designated place and were nabbed by NBI agents after they received the marked P100 bills.

Charges of illegal recruitment and estafa were filed by the NBI with the Las Piñas City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspects who are detained at the NBI jail. – Mike Frialde