3 Filipinos nabbed in Thailand for raising cash for poor children

The Nation/Asia News Network

BANGKOK — Three Filipino women were arrested for soliciting donations for a foundation for poor children in the Philippines without a permit.

Pattaya police chief Col Apichai Krobphet said the three women were arrested after they were found soliciting donations at bars and restaurants in Pattaya.

They were identified as Belinda Austria Toledo, 55, Jessica Bayutas Ortega, 50, and Ruthie Espina Babila, 38.

Police seized 10 books with donators’ names, a guitar and Bt5,690 (P9,377) worth of donations.

The Nation/Asia News Network

They were arrested while soliciting donations on the Phet Trakul Road in Tambon Nong Plue of Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district.

Apichai said the three entered Thailand as tourists and had no permit for soliciting donations. He said the three have been living in Thailand for over a year.

They were charged with soliciting donations without a permit and being aliens working without a permit.