4 "illegal recruiters" nabbed

BACLAYON, BOHOL, Philippines - Operatives of Provincial Intelligence/Investigation Division here have entrapped and arrested four persons suspected of engaging in illegal recruitment activities at a house in Barangay Sta. Cruz of this town.

Police said the suspects, Sally Sablada, who is married to an Arab national and her accomplices, Ma. Socorro Salvacion Sablada of Matina, Davao City; Serino Gonzaga, owner of the house where the raid has taken place, and secretary Nila Caballero, are attracting their victims by promising them good-paying jobs in the Middle East.

Senior labor employment officer Gerry Guidaben of the Department of Labor and Employment said they believe the suspects are into "large-scale trafficking in persons."

The arrested persons are now detained at Camp Dagohoy jail following the raid conducted by the team led by P/Inps. Pelagio Rosagaran and P/Insp Mananquil accompanied by the DOLE.

Guidaben said the presence of DOLE in the raid was "to determine the legitimacy of the raid."

He said Sablada's group may have been in the illegal trade for quite sometime as they have already victimized at least 20 persons.

The suspects are allegedly demanding P3,500 from each applicant for medical certificates and their passports with a promise of good jobs. The applicants were however not issued official receipts for the money collected from them, Guidaben said.

Guidaben said the suspects also failed to present documents to support that they are operating legally.

Among the complainants are Randy Requierme, Bernard Josol, Arnold Macarayo and others.

Police are calling on other victims to come out in the open and report to Camp Dagohoy to strengthen the evidence in filing appropriate cases against the suspects.

Guidaben said it's about time to organize what he called Provincial Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force. Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto supports the suggestion.

The labor official said that while they have been pushing for the creation of such body, it is unfortunate that it has not been given much attention that resulted to the continuous operation of illegal recruiters that result in trafficking, especially of women who ended up in the flesh trade. (FREEMAN)