NBI arrests elusive illegal recruiter using woman as bait

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected illegal recruiter fell in the hands of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after the bureau used a woman as bait.

The suspect was identified as Albert Apostadero, agent of Ren-Glo Placement Agency accused of swindling millions of pesos from prospective overseas workers.

In a press conference Tuesday, NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said Apostadero, reportedly a civilian agent of the Philippine National Police (PNP), was arrested last May 28 while he was about to meet the female NBI asset who promised him sex.

Mantaring said their asset posed as an overseas job applicant and communicated with Apostadero, who was hiding in Koronadal City, through Internet chatting.

Apostadero reportedly flew to Metro Manila after the woman promised to have sex with him in exchange for a job in Spain. He was arrested in Quezon City.

Also arrested in a separate operations by NBI agents were Apostadero’s co-workers, Rommel Lucero Busto, liaison officer of Ren-Glo, and Rizalina de Jesus Tabajonda, agent.

The suspects reportedly collected about P20 million from their more or less 300 victims, 78 of which have already filed complaints before the NBI.

Verification from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) revealed that the license of Ren-Glo, located 4986 P. Guanzon Poblacion, Makati Avenue, Makati City, was already cancelled as of February 19, 2007, due to numerous complaints.

Owners of the placement agency, lawyer Renato Tomas and his wife Gloria, are currently the subject of manhunt operations by the NBI. - GMANews.TV

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