“Illegal recruiter” faces estafa raps

CEBU, Philippines -  A former placement agency employee  faces charges before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly asking money from three applicants for overseas employment.

On Tuesday, the criminal complaint for estafa was lodged against Sulpicio Quiño, 62, a native of Surigao City and a former technical evaluator of Placewell International Placement Agency. Quiño was arrested on Sunday in an entrapment operation  conducted by the Parian police.

During inquest proceeding, respondent was allowed to answer the allegations filed against him in the presence of Prosecutor Alex Gabud.

The Parian police on Sunday conducted an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of the respondent. The entrapment was conducted at Colon Street, immediately after he taking P5,000 cash from Stalion Lopez, a resident of Barangay Tisa, and Gregg Dela Torre, from Talisay City. The other victim is Jib Auxtero of Barangay Guadalupe. Prior to the arrest, Lopez and Dela Torre met with the respondent at a restaurant in Colon where operatives of the Parian Police positioned themselves.

Based on reports, Inspector Gualberto Oroc, team leader of Parian Police Station, said the victims were contacted by the respondent via phone call and through text messages asking for money in exchange for an employment in Qatar.

The victims have reportedly given an initial amount of P6,500 to the respondent on May 11, 2014, and over P20,000 for the succeeding payments.

Lopez earlier said the respondent told them to pay 90 percent of the placement fee as instructed by the agency’s owner.

 Racquel Angcay, officer-in-charge of Placewell International Placement Agency, said that respondent was terminated two months after he worked as a technical evaluator in the company. She said the respondent could not produce a single document for his employment.

For his defense, the respondent denied the accusations, claiming he is not an illegal recruiter. He earlier said that it was Lopez who told him that a reward will be given if he will let him (Lopez) pass the evaluation. 

Contrary to the allegations, the respondent said he did not ask money from Lopez. He added that he gave favorable results to the complainants because they promised that he will be given reward. (FREEMAN)