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NBI says Veloso victim of deception; DOJ probes recruiter for crime raps
By MARK MERUEÑAS, GMA News
(Updated 5:23 p.m.) The Department of Justice is studying the National Bureau of Investigation's recommendation to criminally charge the recruiter of overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, who is set to be executed by firing squad in Indonesia.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed on Monday that the NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD) has filed with the DOJ complaints of illegal recruitment, swindling, and human trafficking against Cristina Sergio and two other individuals for allegedly hoodwinking Veloso into sneaking in drugs into Indonesia.
"The NBI-AHTRAD is recommending the prosecution of the alleged recruiter and two individuals for illegal recruitment, swindling and also human trafficking." De Lima told reporters.
"May element din of human trafficking kasi nga iyong vulnerability ni Ms. Veloso na mayroong kasamang deception when the alleged recruiter enticed her to go muna to Malaysia and then to Indonesia," the Justice secretary added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs last week confirmed that the DOJ was already conducting a preliminary probe on Veloso's recruiter for human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and estafa.
De Lima said she can also have Sergio placed under a lookout bulletin, which would alert government in case Sergio tries to leave the country through any airport or seaport.
Veloso is scheduled to be executed after midnight of Tuesday over drug charges. She was arrested after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin sewn into her suitcase at the Yogyakarta Airport in 2010. She has maintained that she did not know that there were drugs in her luggage.
Earlier Monday, President Aquino met briefly with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Malaysia, where the Association of Southeast Nations summit is being held. Aquino flew to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday morning.
He was described as the “brother of Prince, the boyfriend of Christine, the person who gave the bag containing the illegal drugs."
2 other suspects
Aside from Sergio, the two other accused are Julius Lacanilao and a certain “Ike.”
According to the NBI, Lacanilao is Sergio’s live-in partner who resides in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. Ike, meanwhile, is of African descent, with a last known address in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
In an artist sketch, Ike was was described to be 30 to 35 years old, weighing 230 to 250 pounds, more than 6-foot tall, with a dark complexion.
He was described as the “brother of Prince, the boyfriend of Christine, the person who gave the bag containing the illegal drugs."
The facial sketch was drawn last March 31.
The NBI found out from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration that Christine and Lacanilao were not licensed and authorized by the POEA to recruit workers for overseas employment.
According to the NBI, Veloso was introduced to Sergio by the former’s family friend, Lacanilao, in April 2010.
In exchange for a job in Malaysia, Christine demanded from Veloso P7,000, a cellphone, and a tricycle.
Once the two were in Malaysia, Veloso noticed Christine frequently speaking over the one with a certain “Prince,” who Christine would later say was her "foreigner friend.”
“A few days later, Christine told Mary Jane that they will go to Indonesia to meet someone. Shortly thereafter, Christine told the victim that she cannot make it to Indonesia and that the latter (Mary Jane) will have to go there alone,” read the NBI report.
“Christine then gave the victim the address where the latter is supposed to go. Victim stated that she has no recourse but to follow Christine’s instruction as she is not yet employed and therefore has no source of income in Malaysia,” it added.
The NBI said Christine offered to give a traveling bag to Veloso. Christine then introduced the victim to “Ike,” who produced the bag.
Veloso noticed the bag, while empty, was heavy. Christine explained it was because the bag was still new.
Veloso was given a plane ticket and a cellphone number to call once in Indonesia. She was instructed to buy a SIM card to make the pall, but was not given the name of a contact person.
“Facts surrounding the circumstances of her recruitment, transportation, and stay at a foreign country, also show that she is a victim of human trafficking owing to the fact that her vulnerability (in dire need of a job in order to support her family) was exploited by her recruiters thru manipulation and deception, in order for her to unwittingly transport a contraband (illegal drugs) without her knowledge,” concluded the NBI. — JJ/RSJ, GMA News
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