NBI readies raps versus alleged illegal recruiter

The National Bureau of Investigation has readied two criminal charges against an illegal recruiter arrested for duping his neighbors of a high-paying job in Dubai.

Special Investigator Arnel Pura said they are preparing charges for violations of the Republic Act 8042 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act and Estafa against Albert Flores.

Pura however said that the filing of charges may be abated if the suspect agrees to refund the complaints.  Pura said the complainants are willing to execute an affidavit of desistance if Flores will return their money.

Flores was arrested in an entrapment operation by the NBI last Thursday morning in barangay Canduman, Mandaue City, after receiving money from three complainants.   

Maribel Velasco, Tito Jeffrey Adlawan and Brian Libeste all of Tayud, Liloan town, sought the NBI’s help after they found out from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration that Flores is not

Authorized to recruit workers for overseas jobs.

The complainants alleged that sometime in January 2008 Flores recruited them to work as janitors in Dubai promising a salary as high as P40,000 a month.

Flores allegedly collected P10,000 from each of them as processing and placement fees with a promise that they will be deployed within the month.  On top of the amount that Flores has already collected Adlawan and Velasco were also required to pay additional P2,500 each for their passport while Velasco was asked to pay P600 for a special power of attorney.

The complainants said that they started to suspect Flores when the latter failed to send them to Dubai on the day of the promised departure.  Flores allegedly kept on delaying their departure prompting them to check with the POEA to determine if the suspect is authorized to recruit.

Flores was found out to be fake and an entrapment operation was arranged with the NBI.  — Fred P. Languido/BRP