Woman arrested on her wedding day

A 37-year-old woman was arrested by elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on her wedding day yesterday for illegal recruitment and estafa.

The suspect, Clarita Chua, alias Melissa, of J. Bocobo street, Ermita, Manila, failed to make it to their wedding reception and honeymoon as she was immediately taken to the NBI headquarters in Manila after the church ceremonies.

Chua was arrested at the St. Peter Parish Church along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City late Thursday afternoon by operatives of the NBI-Special Task Force (STF) under Marianito Panganiban.

"We may appear inconsiderate for arresting her on her wedding day but that’s the only time we could find her," said NBI-STF executive officer Allan Contado.

Some people who heard about the arrest of Chua could not help but say that a little consideration should have been given.

Contado explained that NBI-STF operatives have been hunting Chua for more than a year now. He added that NBI agents waited after the ceremony was over before enforcing the arrest order issued by Manila Judge Cesar Solis of Branch 14 dated Oct. 29, 2003.

Chua allegedly recruited a number of jobseekers abroad and demanded P80,000 for placement fee but the promised employment did not materialize, prompting complainants to file charges in court. – Cecille Suerte Felipe