Suspected illegal recruiter nabbed

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently accosted a suspected illegal recruiter in an entrapment operation.

The suspect reportedly defrauded at least 23 persons of at least P1.3 million in placement fees but failed to send them to work in the United States as promised.

Head Agent Ferdinand Lavin, NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD) chief, said they filed charges against Mabel Isidro, a resident of 30-C 8th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City, for violation of the Migrant Workers Act and Overseas Act of 1995 and estafa.

They also filed similar charges against Corazon Panganiban, of No. 61 Bignay Street, Project 2, Quezon City; and Jessica Panganiban. Both remain at large.

Lavin said they conducted the entrapment operation based on the complaint filed by 23 of their alleged victims.

The three female suspects reportedly promised them employment as caregivers, concession workers, assistant cooks, cooks, housekeepers, and radio operators in the United States and were supposed to earn a monthly income of $1,200 (P60,000).

The applicants were required to pay the recruitment company PMAC International Management Services Inc. between P55,000 to P201,000 to cover the processing and placement fees. Their office is located at the second floor of Cabrera Building at No. 18 Timog Avenue, Quezon City. — Evelyn Macairan