CIDG nabs 2 illegal recruiters; victims asked to come out, file charges

CIDG Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Thursday called on to the public to come out and file complaints if they have been victimized by two illegal recruiters their office have arrested from separate operations in Nueva Ecija and La Union on Wednesday.

CIDG chief, Police Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. identified the arrested illegal recruiters as Jenny Francisco Cruz, 36, of Kapitan Pepe Subdivision, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; and John Boadilla, 42, of Barangay (village) Quinavite, Bauang, La Union.

Boadilla was arrested at the said residence around 11 a.m. Wednesday by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Presiding Judge Carlito Corpuz of Branch 27 of the Regional Trial Court, FJR, of San Fernando City, La Union for “Illegal Recruitment in large scale with no bail bond recommended,” for pretending to be a licensed recruiter for an overseas employment, particularly in Guam.

Two other personalities allegedly involved in his illegal transactions were identified by CIDG as certain Arsenio Pejo, Gregorio Pejo Jr, of Barangay (village) Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union; and Ramil Dulay, of Barangay (village) Suyo, Bagulin, La Union.

Further, Boadilla, who was also listed as number two most wanted persons in Region 1, is a suspected member of a syndicate engaged in illegal recruitment, bank robbery, transnational crime, and human trafficking, CIDG said.

Francisco, on the other hand, was arrested in an entrapment operation around 4:30 p.m. the same day after receiving marked money from 14 alleged victims who complained of being illegally recruited for a job opportunity in Japan and Bahrain.

In the light of their arrest, Pagdilao called on the other victims to come out and file their complaints to the CIDG to “further strengthen the cases against the suspects and finally to stop their illegal activities.”

He reminded job seekers to be cautious in dealing with recruiters who promise jobs abroad and salaries that are too good to be true.

He also reminded applicants do deal only with recruitment agencies that are duly recognized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.