US Embassy commends arrest of 2 alleged illegal recruiters

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The US Embassy in Manila has commended the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for arresting two alleged large-scale illegal recruiters.

“This successful international effort came as a result of the collaboration and deep partnership between the U.S. Embassy Diplomatic Security Service Overseas Criminal Investigations office and their NBI-AOCD (Anti-Organized Crime Division) counterparts,” the embassy said in a statement on Monday.

Irmalyn Melodias-Torres and Gerald Melodias were arrested by NBI operatives last June 20 for estafa and illegal recruitment of workers for employment in the United States.

They were apprehended by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Puerto Princesa Palawan Regional Trial Court.

READ: 2 suspects nabbed for estafa, illegal recruitment in QC, Valenzuela https://www.google.com/amp/s/newsinfo.inquirer.net/1134852/2-suspects-nabbed-for-estafa-illegal-recruitment-in-qc-valenzuela/amp

According to NBI-AOTD Chief Joel Tovera, the suspects allegedly recruited their victims to work as domestic helpers and caregivers in the US with a salary of P80,000 a month.

The two, he added, even allegedly tapped elderly holders of US visas to pose as potential employers.

The US Department of State, the US Diplomatic Security Service, and Overseas Criminal Investigations and the US Embassy alerted the NBI on July 26, 2018 to act on the said illegal recruitment scheme.

The suspects are currently detained at the NBI detention facility.