PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) and PNP operatives arrested a couple who promised 10 individuals enlistment with the PCG in exchange for P120,000 each last Saturday in South Cotabato.
The operation also resulted in the “rescue” of the 10 individuals, the PCG said in a statement.
The suspects, identified as Leonardo Yarte, 43, and his wife Laurence Lyka Yarte, 43, were nabbed at a checkpoint in Barangay Tinagacan, Gen. Santos City, at 2:35 p.m.
The PCG said the suspects, along with their victims, were onboard a bus en route to the Davao International Airport for their flight to Manila when they were arrested.
The PCG said the operation was conducted in response to a report from one of the victims “illegally recruited” by the suspects.
It said the suspects, who introduced themselves to the victims as personnel of the PCG and the Office of the President, offered the victims enlistment with the PCG in exchange for P120,000 each.
The suspects are in the custody of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, facing further investigation for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, usurpation of authority, and estafa.
The victims were allowed to return to their boarding house in Gen. Santos City and were advised to report to the PNP for investigation and filing of charges against the suspects.
PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan reminded aspiring PCG applicants that the PCG recruitment is done only at PCG premises and no fees are required during the application.
