National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives recently arrested a Jordanian national for a suspected large-scale illegal recruitment scheme in an entrapment operation in Barangay Bagacay, Dumaguete City.

Investigators identified the suspect as Imad Housni Hamdan, the subject of a complaint filed in December 2017 by Jenypher Alcoran of Barangay Banilad, Bacong, Negros Oriental; and Sarah Jane Fabros and Ma. Blessyl Sarao, both of Barangay West Poblacion, Bacong.

According to the complaint, a recruitment agency circulated flyers seeking domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia. The offer came with a P20,000 monthly salary for two years; no salary deductions or placement fees; and free accommodations, transportation, and medical examinations.

Based on initial investigations, a recruiter from Amlan introduced the complainants to Hamdan, who offered to shoulder their expenses to go abroad. Many of the applicants had passports being held at other recruitment agencies with pending applications.

Even without passports in hand, the victims claimed the suspect assured them he would take care of everything.

A certification from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) later showed Sphinx Group Manpower Provider, Inc. is currently under suspension and has no authority to recruit.

Hamdan, however, says he has no connection with the recruitment agency.

He also claimed to have never spoken with the complainants.

Hamdan faces charges in violation of RA 1002, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995; and RA 10364, or the Expanded Anti-Human Trafficking Act./DGB, WDJ