'Talent manager' nabbed for swindling, child abuse

MANILA, Philippines -  Police arrested in an entrapment operation Friday a self-proclaimed talent manager who reportedly swindled parents of children he recruited as artists and commercial models.

Phillip Gomez, 38, who had been introducing himself as the managing director of All Star Cast Production of Manila, with address at Unit 1020-A Harrison Mansions Condominium, Pasay City, was arrested after receiving marked money from two parents at a café along Pablo Ocampo street in Manila.

At the police headquarters, Gomez opted to remain silent on the charges of swindling and child abuse filed against him.

The complainants – Ma. Severina Fernandez and Anna Mari Garcia – initially sought the assistance of Tondo Councilor Edward Tan after they sensed Gomez, who promised that he would make their children a star or a commercial model, was duping them.

The complainants said after gaining their trust, Gomez started demanding money for their children’s training workshop. The parents said despite having given a total of P36,000, their children still had not been scheduled for a screen test.

Tan referred the complainants to Chief Inspector Fernando Opelanio, who heads the District Police Intelligence and Operations Unit of the Manila Police District. Opelanio learned that the suspect’s alleged production outfit is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and therefore could not provide work as promised to his recruits.

Opelanio personally led his men in the entrapment operation, wherein P5,000 marked money was handed to the suspect as initial payment for his asking price of P12,000 for training workshop.

Opelanio advised parents not to fall prey to alleged talent scouts who promise to make their child a star.