‘Jose Rizal’ arrested for illegal recruitment

Unlike the national hero who got into trouble for fighting for freedom, this Jose Rizal is facing court cases for recruiting prospective Filipino workers for non-existent jobs abroad.

Dominador Salanga, of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) operations and surveillance division, said Rizal is currently detained for illegal recruitment at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Salanga reported that Rizal was arrested last Wednesday in an entrapment operation conducted by a joint team of POEA-NBI elements at a shopping mall in Makati City.

According to Salanga, the suspect has already duped about 15 prospective overseas Filipino workers, whom he promised jobs as apple pickers in New Zealand.

"He has already collected over half a million pesos from his victims from Batangas, Cavite and other provinces in Ilocos Region," Salanga said.

Salanga pointed out that Rizal is not authorized to recruit overseas workers.

The POEA has intensified its campaign against illegal recruitment in an effort to control if not stamp out the multi-million illegal trade. – Mayen Jaymalin