Broadcaster Jay Sonza in custody over alleged estafa, illegal recruitment —BJMP

Veteran broadcaster Jose "Jay" Sonza is currently under police custody in connection with alleged estafa and syndicated and large-scale illegal recruitment, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Tuesday.

Jail Chief Inspector Jayrex Joseph Bustinera, the BJMP spokesperson, told GMA News Online that Sonza was received by the BJMP on August 3, 2023 through a commitment order from Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 100.

“He was transferred by NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) Manila, and is currently in Quezon City Jail - Ligtas Covid Center Quarantine Facility, in Payatas, QC,” he said.

NBI sources, meanwhile, told GMA Integrated News that Sonza was about to leave the country for Hong Kong on July 18 when he was stopped by Bureau of Immigration personnel at the airport.

Sonza was then turned over to the NBI Airport Investigation Division for the serving of the arrest warrant. 

According to a copy of the commitment order dated July 27, 2023, Sonza "should not be released except upon the order of this Court."

It also said the NBI chief should comply with “the commitment protocol provided in LGU Executive Order No. 30 signed by Mayor Josefina G. Belmonte, and the mandatory 14-day quarantine period at Quezon City Jail Ligtas Covid-19 Center (QCJ-LCC) located at Barangay Bagong Silangan, Payatas, Quezon City, instead of Quezon City Jail-Annex, Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan Quezon City.” —with John Consulta/KBK, GMA Integrated News