4 illegal recruiters nabbed in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Four illegal recruiters who allegedly duped hundreds of prospective job applicants abroad were arrested by Manila policemen yesterday.

Nabbed were Dennis Abellon, 27, son of the owners of Marhaba International Management Services Company; Emma Palolon, 34, secretary; Rommel Palmes, 33, desk officer; and Gemma Palilio, 32, liaison officer.

 Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim lauded Senior Inspector Rolando Lorenzo, chief of the City Hall Action and Police Assistance, and his men for the suspects’ arrest.

According to Lorenzo, the suspects offered the victims jobs in Austria or London with a monthly salary of P75,000 in exchange for a placement fee of P130,000 each.

He said that after the victims paid P100,000 each aside from the medical examination for P5,500, the suspects failed to send them abroad.

This prompted the complainants to seek police help, resulting in the suspect’s arrest in an entrapment operation.

Charges of syndicated estafa, illegal recruitment and violation of city ordinance for working without necessary permit will be filed against the suspects before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.