2 illegal recruiters for jobs in Japan arrested in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Two women suspected of illegal recruitment and estafa were arrested Friday in an entrapment operation conducted by the Manila police just hours after seven recruits from Zambales reported their situation to authorities.

Marissa Managbanag, 37, of Las Pinas, and Veronica Resurreccion, 61, of Quezon City, were arrested in a fast-food joint on Pedro Gil Street where the victims arranged to meet them. The meeting was part of an entrapment operation by policemen from the Rizal Park Station 5, said investigator Police Officer 2 Bernie Rusiana.

The victims were identified as Wendy Lyn Labrador, 25; Bernadette Tadeo, 34; Diana Amancio, 29; Jennifer Oliveros, 34; Norilyn Alferes, 34; Henjie Carreon, 21; and a 31-year-old former security guard who refused to be identified. They sought the help of Inquirer columnist and TV and radio broadcaster Ramon Tulfo, who endorsed their case to MPD-Station 5.

The victims, mostly low income earners in Zambales, said they were promised farm or factory jobs in Japan.

Rusiana said the victims were made to pay P60,000 for a job placement in Japan, plus separate fees of P5,000 for a medical checkup and P18,000 for Nihongo lessons at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). They were to be sent to Japan only after Tesda issued their language proficiency clearance.

During the arrest, the suspects told the police they belonged to a recruitment agency. However, an inquiry at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration revealed they were not registered agents of any legitimate recruitment agency, the investigator said.

The victims said Resurreccion last met with them during their enrollment for the Tesda language classes. Neither of the suspects contacted them again and had become elusive after receiving the placement fee.