Illegal recruiter collared

MANILA, Philippines - A 40-year-old widow, who has been illegally recruiting applicants for non-existing jobs abroad right in front of the Manila City Hall, was finally arrested by the police in an entrapment operation Tuesday afternoon.

Gina Viñas, of Novaliches, Quezon City, was the subject of complaints of 17 persons, mostly women who came all the way from the Visayas and Mindanao, regarding her alleged illegal recruitment activities.

The complainants told Chief Inspector Fernando Opelanio, chief of the District Police Intelligence and Operations Unit of the Manila Police District, that Viñas had promised them jobs abroad in exchange for placement fees ranging from P25,000 to P50,000. However, after giving her the amount, the complainants failed to leave despite repeated calls.

The suspect usually meets job applicants in front of the Manila City Hall to give them a semblance of legitimacy of her work, Opelanio said. “The suspect even had the gall to collect more money from the victims in the guise that she is still processing their travel papers,” Opelanio said.

Without the suspect’s knowledge the victims were able to secure a certification from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency that she is not authorized to recruit, collect placement fees and deploy overseas contract workers, hence they sought police assistance.

Opelanio prepared P2,000 marked money to be given to Viñas by one of the applicants. At the designated meeting place in front of the Manila City Hall, DPIOU operatives nabbed the suspect after receiving the marked money.

On Feb. 11, Opelanio and his men also arrested Aliwana Cortes, 41, a former overseas worker, for duping six job applicants abroad in Malate, Manila. Cortes reportedly continuously demanded money from the victims despite failing to send them abroad for several months now.

The two suspects are now facing charges of large scale illegal recruitment, a non-bailable offense.