‘Illegal recruiter’ falls in entrapment

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested an alleged illegal recruiter during an entrapment operation in Barangay Cogon Ramos, Cebu City yesterday.

Lead by agents Renan Oliva and Florante Gaoiran, the NBI arrested Himaya Tangcawan alias Himaya Talisic, a resident of Cebu City, at around 11 a.m.  Gaoiran said they arrested Tangcawan after she received P9,000 from Cherry Ann Alvarez-Estares, sister of victim Joy Alvarez.

Estares told the media that Tangcawan and her sister, who is in Japan, met last year at the airport in Manila.   The two talked, during which Estares’ sister asked Tangcawan, whose husband was a seaman connected with a placement agency, if she could help her find their brother a job.

Tangcawan allegedly nodded and promised to have him work in a cruise ship and asked her and Estares to pay P89,000. The siblings paid an initial payment of P80,000.

However, a year after, Estares said their brother was not able to work in the cruise ship, prompting them to ask for the refund, but to no avail.

Estares said that because of Tangacawan’s alibis, they already sought the assistance of the NBI.

The suspect, however, denied the accusation, saying she never recruited Alvarez nor offered him to a job at a cruise ship. She said she only accompanied Alvarez to the placement agency. She also said that Alvarez has to undergo trainings before he can have the job.

Gaoiran said they will file a complaint for illegal recruitment against Tangcawan. He called on other victims to come to their office and lodge a complaint. — (FREEMAN)