Couple nabbed on recruitment charges

A COUPLE accused of illegal recruitment was arrested at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) Tuesday evening.

The suspects aged 46 and 38 reportedly promised jobs abroad to some individuals but were not authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Nine women were rescued, two of whom were about to leave for the Middle East to  work as domestic helpers on Tuesday.

Charges of illegal recruitment and human trafficking will be filed against the couple, said NBI Agent Rey Villordon.

The confidentiality provisions in the special law on human trafficking  prohibit the identification of both the victims and the accused in the media.

The NBI’s help was sought by the Cebu Provincial Women’s Commission after four women approached the  office about the  recruitment activities of the couple, who lived in Danao City.

“Our thrust is to protect women from abuses and tyranny of men. We work for the development of women,” said PWC consultant Heddah Largo.

Two women were about to take a 9 p.m. flight to the Middle East last Tuesday.

She said the  two suspects were arrested and  detained at the Fuente Police precinct.

In an interview, the male suspect denied the allegations and said he and his wife just accompanied the women to the airport.

“Naa may nagpaabot nga trabaho nila sa Lebanon. (Jobs await them in Lebanon),” the wife said, adding that they  processed the passports of the victims but an agency in Manila is processing the travel abroad.