THREE alleged illegal recruiters, including a retired Philippine Marine major, were arrested in Manila last Tuesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.
The suspects, led by retired Maj. Marcel Mudjilum, reportedly demanded P350,000 from applicants in exchange for enlistment with the Coast Guard, the PCG said in a statement.
The two other suspects were Bolkisah Datu-Dacula and Abdul Jalil Datu-Dacula Bantuas.
They were arrested by PCG and PNP personnel at 8:35 p.m. by PCG intelligence operatives after a complaint from two PCG enlistment applicants about the activities of the suspects was received.
“The applicants reported the suspects following their demand for P350,000 each in exchange for their assured entry in the PCG,” the Coast Guard Human Resources Management Command (CGHRMC) said.
The suspects are in the custody of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group “for booking procedures and subsequent filing of criminal charges of two counts of qualified estafa.”
The CGHRMC said the successful operation highlights the PCG’s firm stance against illegal recruitment and its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent enlistment process.
“Only the PCG and CGHRMC official Facebook pages are authorized to disseminate updates on the nationwide recruitment,” the CGHRMC said.
PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered all concerned PCG units to “strictly monitor and address reports on illegal recruitment nationwide.”
Gavan reiterated his reminder to persons wishing to enter the PCG that recruitment is only done within the PCG premises, and no fees are required.
