NBI files charges vs illegal recruiter

The National Bureau of Investigation has charged before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office an alleged illegal recruiter who defrauded two persons seeking employment in Canada of more than P500,000.

NBI regional director Medardo de Lemos filed charges for illegal recruitment and estafa against Stella Marie de Gracia, a resident of West Poblacion, Naga.

De Gracia allegedly recruited Emiliano Salas of Urgello Street and Pink Floyd Alforque of Tulay, Minglanilla sometime in April last year and September this year respectively.

The victims, who complained before the NBI, said De Gracia promised them to work as caregivers in Canada with a monthly salary of $1,500 Canadian dollars and $10 per hour.

As placement fee, Salas was reportedly made to pay P258,000 while Alforque paid P321,030.75. But De Gracia later failed to deliver her promise to send them to Canada within two to three months.

Upon verification with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the NBI found out that De Gracia is not authorized to recruit workers for overseas employment and that her action was deemed illegal.

The complainants said they had demanded the return of their payment but the suspect refused. They even tried to call her several times but De Gracia reportedly refused to receive their calls.

A demand letter was already sent to the suspect but she repeatedly refuse to return the money, prompting Salas and Alforque to seek NBI's assistance.

Upon its investigation, the NBI found out that De Gracia has no recruitment license from the POEA. - Fred P. Languido