P1.3 million transaction alleged illegal recruiter arrested

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged illegal recruiter was arrested Monday evening by the operatives of the Cebu City Police Office during an entrapment operation in an uptown fast food chain outlet.

Johna Posadas, 40, who hails from Iligan City and temporarily resides in Barangay Pari-an, was caught in the act of receiving the P6,500 marked money from the complainant, Diogecel Gentica, whom the suspect had allegedly promised a work abroad.

Gentica, 22, of Lawaan Talisay City, said she met Posadas in December last year at the Velez Hospital and befriended to her.

Gentica said the suspect offered to help her work in the United Kingdom and to process her travel documents. According to the victim, since last year she has paid Posadas a total of P1.3 million for the more than 13 transactions that the suspect allegedly processed on her behalf.

These include her visa fees, embassy appointment payments and several other fees that Posadas collected from the victim.

“Dali ra kaayo ko na convince sa mga application forms na iyang gi-pakita nako,” Gentica said.

Gentica said she had already mortgaged her house and other properties to raise the amount that Posadas has been asking from her hoping that she will be able to work abroad.

“Many times nako nakabantay nga illegal siya pero tungod sa iyang mga defense ma convince me kay maayo man kaayo mamaba,” Gentica said.

However, Gentica was forced to seek the police assistance after she discovered that her supposed travel papers were bogus.

Gentica brought with her all the fake forms, receipts and text messages from Posadas to the CCPO. An entrapment operation was immediately hatched by Chief Inspector Romeo Santander, chief of the CCPO Intelligence Branch.

Gentica and Posadas agreed to meet in a fast food chain outlet in Fuente Osmeña where the suspect is supposed to give her working visa. The meeting was first set at 3:00 p.m. but the suspect moved it in the evening.

The two finally met at 9:45 p.m. resulting to Posadas’ arrest. An undercover policeman discretely accompanied Gentica in the meeting and arrested Posadas after receiving the marked-money.

Posadas denied the allegation saying she did not recruit Gentica. According to her, she merely referred the victim.

“Di man ko recruiter gi-recommend o gi-refer ra nako siya,” she said.

Santander said Posadas will be charged with estafa and illegal recruitment. He also warned the public to be cautious in applying for job overseas. He said those who are planning to work abroad should coordinate with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). — (FREEMAN)