Ex-broadcaster held for illegal recruitment – NBI

MANILA, Philippines — Former broadcaster Jay Sonza has been arrested by authorities on charges of estafa and syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed yesterday.

Assistant NBI Director Glenn Ricarte said that Sonza was taken into custody after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) temporarily detained him on July 18.

Sonza was apprehended while he was preparing to board a flight bound for Hong Kong at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, according to Ricarte.

The BI discovered Sonza had a pending estafa case and was the subject of an active warrant for syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment.

Ricarte said Sonza was turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Quezon City.

The former broadcaster has been in communication with his legal counsel during the period of his detention by the BI.

He was advised about his legal alternatives, taking into consideration the fact that posting bail for syndicated or large-scale illegal recruitment is not an option, Ricarte said.