The Commission on Human Rights in Negros Oriental announced Tuesday it is preparing to file a criminal complaint against a teacher who allegedly illegally recruited other teachers for jobs in Vietnam.
This comes after the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration issued a certification dated Oct. 10 that a certain Nico James Bantayanon, resident of Dauin, Negros Oriental, has no authority, and is not licensed to recruit teachers for Vietnam.
CHR-Negros Oriental Provincial Chief/Special Investigator Dr. Jesus Cañete said POEA Licensing Director Celso Hernandez Jr. issued the certification upon the request of CHR Region 7 Supervising Special Investigator Leo Villarino after being appraised of the complaints Cañete had received earlier.
Cañete said he is ready with the filing of a large scale illegal recruitment charges against Bantayanon, through the sworn statements executed by at least four of the victims.
Bantayanon had promised the victims upon recruitment within the Negros Oriental State University campus that they will receive a salary ranging from US $800 to $1,200, tax free, contrary to what had actually happened, Cañete said.
Some of the recruits have teaching underloads in Vietnam, and have ended up paying for their own lodging and transportation expenses — benefits that Bantayanon had also assured during the recruitment would be shouldered by the company.
Documents show that Bantayanon had actually written a letter to then NORSU President Dr. Peter Dayot signifying his intention to recruit teachers from NORSU who would teach English to adult learners in Hanoi and other major cities in Vietnam.
According to Cañete, he will now proceed with the filing of the complaint for large scale illegal recruitment against Bantayanon who has not been able to comply with the requirements to answer the allegations since he is based in Vietnam. (PNA)