Two illegal recruiters nabbed

Two brothers who allegedly collected P75,000 each from job applicants for non-existent jobs in Japan were arrested in Quezon City over the weekend by elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Roger Santos, alias Everson Lim Gotian, 40, and his younger brother, Ramon Santos, alias Stevenson Lim Gotian, 32, both of 44 Lincoln St., San Juan, did not resist arrest when cornered by operatives from the Regional Intelligence and Special Operations Office (RISOO) at their office in EDSA-Balintawak, Quezon City

The raiding team headed by RISOO head Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr. were armed with an arrest warrant issued by Judge Antonio Rosales, of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 52.

Rosales recommended no bail for the Santos brothers for illegal recruitment.

Court records showed that the brothers, including Pete Guizano, alias Emerson Lim Gotian; Gina Peralta, alias Laura Timbag Tuico; Joan Reyes, alias Sandra Lim Gotian; Cherry Lim, alias Jessica; and Janel Asai conspired with each other in demanding P75,000 from job applicants since 2002.

However, upon verification from the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA), complainants discovered that the suspects and the agency they were representing were not licensed or authorized to recruit overseas workers.

When complainants tried to demand a refund, the suspects disappeared. They were charged in court until Rosales issued an arrest warrant against them last Nov. 25.

At least 20 of the complainants turned up before Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., NCRPO intelligence chief, last week claiming they spotted the Santos brothers working in Quezon City.

Accompanied by complainants Genoveva Gengos and Mona Castro, Rojas’ men surprised the Santos brothers last week.

Rojas said the two claimed that they’ve never been involved in illegal recruitment.

"They appear to be involved in a legal business but we are only carrying out the arrest order of the court," said Rojas.

The two are presently detained at the RISOO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa, pending turnover to the sala of Rosales and their eventual commitment to the Manila City jail. — Non Alquitran