By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday announced the filing of criminal charges for alleged illegal recruitment and estafa against three individuals from a private learning institution based in Camarines Sur.
In a statement, the NBI said its Naga District Office (NBI-NADO) filed charges against Carmelo Carcido, Demitri Carcido and Marchan Villar following a request for assistance by investigators from the United States Embassy on the alleged illegal activities of the Brentwood College of Asia (Brentwood) where Carmelo Carcido is president and chief executive officer.
According to the NBI, the Overseas Criminal Investigation, Regional Security Office of the United States Embassy requested the assistance after the school allegedly represented that it can deploy individuals to the US for employment.
One of the victims, the NBI said, paid Brentwood PHP181,980 for processing fee, visa fee and for the plane ticket to US. An additional USD1,327 was also paid by the victim to Brentwood.
Upon her arrival in the US, she was interviewed by an Immigration Officer who found out she has no return ticket.
The victim eventually confessed that she intends to work as a caregiver in the US, and was deported back to the Philippines.
Four other victims narrated that Brentwood told them that they can deploy individuals to the US for employment, internship and student exchange program via tourist visas.
They each paid between PHP25,000 to PHP50,000 each, but when they appeared before the US Embassy for interview, their visa applications were denied. (PNA)
