2 suspects nabbed for estafa, illegal recruitment in QC, Valenzuela

NBI arrests two suspects for illegal recruitment and estafa. Consuelo Marquez / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspects were arrested for estafa and illegal recruitment of workers for employment in the United States, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday.

Members of NBI-Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (AOTD) arrested Irmalyn Melodias-Torres and Gerald Melodias by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Puerto Princesa Palawan Regional Trial Court.

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

Tovera said the suspects even tapped elderly holders of US visas to pose as potential employers.

“Gumagamit sila ng elderlies na holders of US visa so that yung holder ng US Visa ay kasama itong nire-recruit nila sa US embassy at magpapanggap na sila ay magiging employer sa US (They use elderly US visa holders to pose as prospective employers),” Tovera said.

Torres was arrested by the NBI last June 20 while Melodias, who was living with Torres, was arrested in their home in Valenzuela City.

The NBI was prompted to act on the illegal recruitment scheme after they were alerted by the US Department of State, the US Diplomatic Security Service, and Overseas Criminal Investigations and the US Embassy on July 26, 2018.

Torres, however, denied the accusations against her.

“Sorry po, hindi ko po magagawa yun. Hindi po. Hindi ho talaga ako marunong magcomputer. Wala po akong alam sa ganun (I’m sorry, but I am not capable of doing that. I don’t even know how to operate a computer. I don’t know anything about that),” Torres told the media before the press conference.

The suspects are detained at the NBI detention facility. (Editor: Eden Estopace)