Recruiting agency of 2 Pinoys detained in Dubai illegitimate

The two Cebuanos who have been detained in Dubai, allegedly for using fake passports, have been recruited by an illegitimate agency, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency.

In a TV Patrol Cebu report, POEA-7 director Evelia Durato yesterday confirmed CIME Recruitment Agency is not in its list of legitimate recruitment agencies.

The relatives of the two Cebuanos - Aldwin Pardillo, 34; and Ian David Ang, 26 - yesterday sought the assistance of POEA to trace the legitimacy of the CIME recruitment agency.

Pardillo left for Dubai last July 14 while Ang on July 19. They possessed tourist visas, but were promised work in Dubai as soon as they arrive there.

A certain Ruby Geongson from CIME agency reportedly recruited them for work in Dubai.

After ascertaining CIME is not a licensed recruitment agency, the POEA coordinated with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for the possible arrest of the agency's personnel.

CIDG operations chief Rex Derilo said that when they arrived at the office of the CIME to conduct an entrapment operation last Tuesday, the office was already closed and that nobody was around.

Pardillo and Ang were among eight Filipinos imprisoned by Dubai authorities for allegedly using fake passports.

Monalisa Pardillo, wife of Aldwin, said there was no feedback yet on the latest situation of her husband and his co-inmates at the Central Jail in Dubai. She confirmed that her husband is on a tourist visa and is to work as a driver in Iraq.

Mrs. Pardillo, who is eight months pregnant, said that while her husband and the seven others were about to leave Dubai, police authorities arrested them.

Earlier, Department of Foreign Affairs-7 director Angel Espiritu suspected that these Pinoys are undocumented individuals going to Dubai.

"I don't think they used fake passports. Kasi pag na-issue na namin 'yun, hindi na nila pwedeng i-tamper 'yun o palitan 'yung picture kasi masisira 'yun," Espiritu said earlier. - Ramil V. Ayuman