Four suspects in illegal recruitment brought to Cebu

Four persons who were arrested in Manila for large-scale illegal recuitment charges were presented to a Cebu City court yesterday.

No bail was recommended for Fernando Geronimo as the alleged syndicate leader, Anna Lisa Samson, Ronualdo Geronimo, and Evangeline Liwanag.

Four other suspects are still at large – Cynthia Mateo, Alisha Batac, Jess Miniano, and Daisy Ibarra.

Last August 3, members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Samson and Ronualdo at the Robinsons Mall in Manila.

Next to fall were Geronimo and Liwanag, who were arrested by NBI agents in Manila last August 17.

Regional Trial Court Judge Simeon Dumdum of Branch 7 issued the warrant of arrest against the suspects.

The case stemmed from the complaints of about 50 overseas job applicants who accused the suspects of duping them.

The complainants alleged that Geronimo and his staff members recruited them for non-existing jobs in the United States.

The accused allegedly demanded an average of P200,000 as placement and other service fees from the victims.

They said the suspects falsified documents such as income tax receipts, permits from the Department of Trade and Industry, bank account certifications, land titles, and others in support of visa applications.

The accused were brought to a Cebu City court where the charges were filed against them.

They declined to comment on their arrests.

The crime is a non-bailable offense./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL