VP NOLI'S TASK FORCE RESCUES 16 FROM ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT LAIR IN RIZAL
March 8, 2009

SIXTEEN persons from far flung provinces were rescued by members of the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR) from a house of a suspected illegal recruiter in San Mateo, Rizal last week.

According to TFAIR chairman Vice President Noli 'Kabayan' De Castro, the victims originated from Mindanao, particularly in North Cotabato and Digos City.

Those from North Cotabato were identified as Amie Delos Santos, 24; Marydell Lapaza Gabales, 37; Jeniela Gonzales, 25; Mylane Grace, 20; Evelyn Anguib, 24; Raul Salut Toledo, 24, Celbert Barrio Rolio, 22; Johnny P. Macia, 21; Teofimo Libot Beloy, 24; Maximo Renobias, 24; Melchor Lacia, 24, Marino Tedoso Desamparado, 41, and Michael Gerolaga, 28.

On the other hand, those from Digos City were identified as Tessie Gocotano Rubi, 24; and Mary Lyn Villafuerte, 24. Another one was from General Santos City and was identified as Francisco Eliema Ola-a, 43.

De Castro said the rescue operation was conducted following a complaint of Rubi and three of her companions against suspected illegal recruiter Teofila Cironay.

In his report to De Castro, TFAIR operations chief Col. Gilbert Sosa said Cironay allegedly promised the three with jobs in the Middle East as domestic helpers. However, such promise failed to materialize as Cironay is not authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) to deploy workers abroad.

While waiting for the promise that never came, Sosa said all the victims were kept in Cirona's house in San Mateo where they were charged P5, 000 to 10,000 for their stay.

Cirona is now the subject of a manhunt by TFAIR for violating Republic Act 8024 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act. She is also facing estafa and swindling charges.

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