2 nabbed for DENR job scam

MANILA, Philippines -  The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two people for duping applicants for positions in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and extorting money.

Agents of the NBI’s Anti Fraud Division arrested Aira Enriquez and Robert Tesorero in an entrapment operation in Manila on Tuesday. The third suspect, Alma Carreon, remains at large.

NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said the arrest of the suspects stemmed from a complaint of a person applying as regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR.

Initial investigation shows that the complainant asked for the help of Major General Galma Jeremiah Arcilla of the Transnational Anti-Organized Crimes Intelligence Group.

The complainant said last February he attended a seminar in Zamboanga City where Arcilla was speaker. Arcilla allegedly asked participants if they want to work in government because he might be of help.

The complainant received a call from Arcilla about a forthcoming job interview for government positions in Davao City.

The complainant and other applicants went to a hotel in Davao City on Feb. 24 for the job interview.

Carreon was introduced as a staffer from Malacañang. Enriquez later emailed the complainant to inform that the victim was set for an interview by President Duterte.

The complainant said the suspects asked for P20,000 for the expenses of Enriquez. Enriquez later asked for P10,000 more.

The victim became suspicious and asked for the help of the NBI, which then staged an entrapment that resulted in the arrest of Enriquez and Tesorero.

The NBI found out that Enriquez was previously charged with car theft and estafa, while Carreon was charged with usurpation of authority and estafa.

Irvin Garcia, chief of the NBI’s Anti-Fraud Division, said Arcilla’s connection to the suspects has not been established yet and he could not be held liable for the crimes.