Anti-illegal recruitment task force in hot water anew

Some members of the Presidential Anti-Illegal Recruitment Task Force (PAIRTF) are in hot water anew for alleged illegal arrest and abuses committed against a Japanese recruiter.

A local recruitment agency yesterday sought the imposition of sanctions against PAIRTF agents who raided their office last May 10 and illegally arrested a Japanese national.

Ramon Estrella, general manager of the HRD Consultancy and Multi-Services, said PAIRTF agents took the Japanese recruiter and other employees of the agency without presenting any legal basis for the arrest.

"Our Japanese client was in a private business meeting with officers of another licensed agency when men who claimed to be PAIRTF members barged in and brought our (foreigner) client and staff," Estrella disclosed.

Estrella added that the PAIRTF men failed to present mission orders for the raid and a warrant for the arrest.

"They were released several hours later without any apology for the unwarranted disturbance," Estrella further complained.

Their Japanese client, Estrella pointed out, has been duly licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and has been legally transacting business in the Philippines for many years without any bad record.

According to Estrella, some important documents from professional applicants were now missing because of the Gestapo-like raid.

Estrella sent a letter to PAIRTF chief Reynaldo Jaylo asking for his assistance in taking legal action against his erring operatives.

"We know Jaylo as a man of action and that he will not tolerate abuses among his men, so we’re asking his assistance," Estrella said.

The STar tried but failed to contact Jaylo for comment.

In a previous statement sent to The Star, Jaylo said he never tolerated such abuses by his men and has in fact ordered the dismissal of some erring PAIRTF operatives.