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not pay any placement fee to Ochoa. Pascual did undergo medical examination at St.
Peter Medical Clinic in Ermita, Manila, for which he paid P2,600.00 to Ochoa. Pascual
though did not receive the results of his medical examination because according to
Ochoa, the same was withheld by the clinic. Despite Ochoa's promises, Pascual was
not able to leave for Saudi Arabia. At that time, Pascual was still employed as a Field
Coordinator with Selecta, but because of his frequent absences, spent following-up on
his application for work abroad, he was fired. Pascual filed a complaint against Ochoa
at Brgy. San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. As nothing happened during the
confrontation with Ochoa at the barangay hearing on May 21, 1998, Pascual and the
other private complainants filed a complaint before the NBI.[10]
4. Rosemarie Bermejo came to know of Ochoa through Rivera, a friend of Rosemarie's
mother. Rosemarie first met Ochoa at the latter's home in Quezon City sometime in
January 1998. Rosemarie was promised by Ochoa employment for three years in Saudi
Arabia as clerk/typist, earning US$400.00. Rosemarie was also instructed by Ochoa to
have a medical examination and secure a passport and NBI clearance. Rosemarie and
her brothers, who also applied for jobs abroad, were accompanied by Ochoa to the St.
Peter Medical Clinic in Malate, Manila for their medical examination on February 27,
1998. Rosemarie and her brother each handed over to Ochoa P2,600.00 for their
medical examinations, and it was Ochoa who gave the payment to the clinic.
Rosemarie and her brothers then spent P55.00 each to secure NBI clearances for travel
abroad. In addition, Rosemarie gave Ochoa P5,500.00 on April 17, 1998; and although
not secured by a receipt, said payment was witnessed by Rosemarie's mother and
Imelda Panuga, the landlord of Rosemarie's mother, who lent Rosemarie the
P5,500.00. During their initial meeting in January 1998, Ochoa said that Rosemarie
could already leave for abroad in two weeks. Since Rosemarie was not able to
complete the requirements, her departure for Saudi Arabia was moved to April 19,
1998. On April 19, 1998, Ochoa requested Rosemarie to go to the office of Al Arab
Agency located at Jalandoni Building, Ermita, Manila, to which Ochoa was purportedly
connected. Rosemarie waited at the Al Arab Agency until noon, but no one came to
pick her up. Later, at the same day, Ochoa invited Rosemarie to her house for the
birthday celebration of her father. There, Ochoa explained that Rosemarie was unable
to leave for Saudi Arabia because the Al Arab Agency has yet to secure Rosemarie's
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). Ochoa advised Rosemarie to stay at the
rented apartment of Rosemarie's mother because it was close to Ochoa's house and
would be more convenient as Rosemarie could leave for abroad any day soon. When
none of Ochoa's promises came to fruition, Rosemarie, together with the other private
complainants, first sought redress from Brgy. San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City,
and then from the NBI.[11]
5. It was Pascual who introduced Cesar Aquino, a resident of Cubao, to Ochoa at the
latter's residence in San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City, sometime in February
1998. When Cesar directly asked Ochoa if she was a recruiter, the latter answered in
the affirmative. Cesar applied to work as a factory worker in Taiwan. Ochoa told Cesar
that as a factory worker, he could earn at least P15,000.00 a month. On March 13,
1998, Cesar handed over P17,000.00 to Ochoa to cover his processing fee and medical
examination. On the same day, Cesar had his medical examination at St. Peter Medical
Clinic. Ochoa then promised that Cesar could leave two weeks thereafter. When two
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