Police arrest Illegal recruiter in Laguna

Authorities have arrested a woman for estafa and large-scale illegal recruitment in Laguna.

John Consulta on GMA News TV's Balitanghali Weekend on Sunday reported that police operatives serving a warrant of arrest nabbed the 49-year-old suspect Marivel Equio inside a hotel room.

Police said she was among the most wanted personalities in Manila.

"Nag-accumulate na ang kanilang billing na umabot na po sa napakalaking halaga, humigit-kumulang nasa P400,000 na at ang laging pakiusap ay kung pwede muna silang ma-extend at puro promissory at umabot na rin nga sa pag-issue na rin po ng mga talbog na tseke," said Police Lt. Col. Eugene Orate, chief of Sta. Rosa City Police.

Equio was with her live-in partner, an American, who is also under investigation for possible involvement in the illegal recruitment scam.

"Mayroon din po kaming tinitingnang possibility na kaya po dito siya nagtago sa Sta. Rosa ay upang dito naman makapangbiktima sa Laguna area," Orate added.

The suspect, detained in Sta. Rosa Police, has refused to give any statements since she was arrested.  —Dona Magsino/LBG, GMA News