Multiple raps lodged
vs. 'illegal recruiters'

The police yesterday said that they will file multiple charges today against the three alleged illegal recruiters who hired six girls, five of them minors, and tried to bring them to Tuguegarao in Cagayan province to work as waitresses on July 20.

Bacolod City Police Office Women and Children's Concerns Desk chief SPO4 Nemia Cuzon said they are preparing the evidence against Danilo Marasigan, Marie Jane Jose, and Maricar Granada for violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking Act of 2003 at the City Prosecutor's Office.

The girls' parents have refused to file complaints against the suspects, saying that they willingly consented to the hiring of their children.

Cuzon added that they will also include charges for violations of Republic Act 9231 or the Elimination of Most Forms of Child Labor, Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children, and Republic Act 8042 or Illegal Recruitment on Large Scale.

The three were arrested by the police in a hotel Friday after the six teenagers were rescued from a ship bound for Tuguegarao, the police said. The suspects, who are now detained at Police Station 2, refused to comment on their case.*PP

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2 drivers face charges
for break-in at house

Two drivers are facing charges for allegedly breaking into a house and pointing a gun at two female helpers in Bacolod City early Tuesday, the police yesterday said.

Nestor Andraque, 30, of Purok Cosmos and Bernard Maspeñas, 21, of Purok Lerio, both in Brgy. Taculing, in Bacolod are facing trespassing and grave threats charges after they were arrested by Police Station 6 officers late Tuesday in Brgy. Taculing, the police said.

The police added that Andraque, a trisikad driver, and Maspeñas, a tricycle driver, were positively identified by the two house helpers of Ma. Maribel Matsuyama as the ones who pointed a gun and a knife at them at the two-storey house of Matsuyama that they allegedly tried to rob.

The helpers, whose names are being withheld by the DAILY STAR, were initially detained on suspicion of conniving with the suspects to rob Matsuyama. They are now considered as state witnesses after they confessed to helping Andraque and Maspeñas, police records showed.

One of the helpers told investigators that Andraque is her boyfriend and that she helped the suspects to enter the house.

The helpers told the police that they assisted the suspects in getting into the house without being noticed by the guard dog, which barked at and chased the responding officers later, the police said.

Andraque and Maspeñas, on the other hand, said that they had nothing to do with the break-in and were just being framed.

Andraque admitted thought that one of the helpers used to be his girlfriend.*PP

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BCPO probing policemen
protecting illegal activities

The Bacolod City Police Office Investigation and Intelligence Branch is investigating two unidentified officers of Police Station 2 who are allegedly protecting illegal drugs and gambling activities in a barangay in Bacolod City, BCPO director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar yesterday said.

Quebrar, who, however, refused to identify the officers, told the DAILY STAR that they are still gathering evidence on allegations that the two policemen are acting as "protectors" of prohibited drugs and illegal gambling in Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City.

Reports said that one of the officers is a Senior Police Officer 1 while the other is a Police Officer 2.

Police Station 2 commander Senior Inspector Rei Gumban had earlier said he does not believe the allegations but assured that he will look into the reports.

Quebrar said that the policemen will face charges if it is proved that they are protecting illegal drugs and gambling personalities.*PP

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