MOST WANTED illegal recruiter in Kalinga with 8 arrest warrants captured in Pinukpuk manhunt operation

PINUKPUK, Kalinga – A woman accused of deceiving job seekers and facing multiple criminal cases across the country was arrested in Pinukpuk, Kalinga after police operatives served eight outstanding warrants of arrest against her.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in a press release it issued on July 3, identified the suspect only by the alias "Kara." She was apprehended during a manhunt operation at around 3:00 p.m. on June 25 in Barangay Junction, Pinukpuk.

Kara, a native of Tarlac who is currently residing in Pinukpuk, is listed as the No. 5 Provincial Most Wanted Person in Kalinga.

According to the CIDG, she is the subject of eight warrants of arrest issued by various courts in Quezon City, La Trinidad, Benguet, Pasig City, Pampanga, and Batangas between 2023 and 2026.

The warrants involve 26 counts of violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, or the Bouncing Checks Law, which penalizes the issuance of checks that are later dishonored due to insufficient funds or closed bank accounts.

She is also facing charges for illegal recruitment, estafa, violation of Republic Act No. 10883 (New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016), and falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code.

Allegedly victimized job seeker

One of the warrants stemmed from an illegal recruitment case filed in Benguet.

According to investigators, between April and May 2023, Kara allegedly convinced a resident of Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet that she could facilitate his employment in Malaysia as an equipment operator.

She reportedly presented herself as someone capable of processing overseas employment requirements and collected P40,000 from the victim, supposedly for processing fees, visa application, and airfare.

Trusting her promises, the victim handed over the money. However, the promised overseas job never materialized.

After receiving the payment, Kara allegedly became unreachable, with the complainant reportedly unable to contact her through her mobile phone or social media accounts.

The CIDG has yet to release further details regarding the suspect's other pending cases as legal proceedings continue.

The accused is now under police custody and will be presented before the courts that issued the warrants for the proper disposition of the cases.

The CIDG commended the law enforcement personnel involved in the operation, saying they remained committed from the filing of airtight complaints to the successful service of the warrants and eventual arrest of the accused.

The operation was carried out by personnel from the CIDG Apayao Provincial Field Unit, led by PLT Bonigil G. Marcelino, in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Unit 14, headed by PLTCOL Brendon B. Palisoc.