A 41-year-old Filipina set to depart for Dubai was arrested Sunday at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on charges of large-scale and syndicated illegal recruitment, according to a report by the Philippine Star.
Police served warrants against the woman for violations of Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8042, the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022. That charge carries no recommended bail. She also faces an estafa charge, for which bail was set at P30,000.
Under Republic Act No. 8042 as amended, illegal recruitment is considered syndicated when carried out by a group of three or more people conspiring together, and large-scale when committed against three or more individuals. Both classifications are treated as offenses involving economic sabotage, which carry the heaviest penalties under the law. Illegal recruitment and estafa are prosecuted as separate offenses because they cover different elements, and a person may be charged with both for the same acts.
The suspect was turned over to the Manila Police District for documentation and further legal action.
