Alleged illegal recruiter arrested

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected illegal recruiter, who reportedly made false promises to four individuals for work in Qatar, was arrested at her house in Quezon City during an entrapment operation Thursday, police said yesterday. 

Chief Inspector Rodelio Marcelo, head of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), identified the suspect as Crisilyn Batican, 31, who is also a nurse. Another suspected illegal recruiter working with Batican remains at large and was identified as a certain Evelyn Licop. 

According to Marcelo, Batican had been subjected to inquest proceedings on charges of illegal recruitment. 

He said that so far, four victims have appeared to file complaints against the two suspects: Salvacion Crispo, Arlyn Fedelicio, Francisco Diamante, and Maria Cristina Eslera. 

Marcelo said the suspects were able to get P35,000 to P40,000 from each of their victims after promising them jobs in Qatar. 

Crispo helped set up the entrapment after she found out that neither Batican nor Licop are registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the contract they gave her was fake.