Appeal for the release of 2 Cebu-based BPO Execs arrested in the US looms

Innocentrix Philippines, along with family members and friends, has called on the Philippine government to help secure the release of two Cebu-based Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) executives who were allegedly involved in defrauding elderly authors in the United States.

The two executives are Michael Sordilla, the founder of Hiyas Philippines and CEO of Innocentrix Philippines, and Bryan Tarosa, Innocentrix Vice President for Operations.

Lawyer Oliver Baclay Jr., spokesperson for Sordilla and Tarosa, appealed during a press conference to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for assistance in securing the immediate release of the two men from detention in the United States.

According to Baclay, Sordilla and Tarosa were on vacation in the U.S. around November. During their trip, Sordilla reportedly bought several gadgets as Christmas gifts.

However, Baclay said those gadgets raised suspicions among U.S. authorities, who claimed they were being used for scamming activities. This led to the arrest of both executives in San Diego, California, on 9 December 2024.

“Sabi pa niya nga, kung iyong cellphones na yon kung talagang mang-scam daw, eh dapat dito [Philippines] na lang siya bumili, bakit kailangan sa U.S.,” Baclay insisted.

("He even said, if those cellphones were really meant for scamming, then he should’ve just bought them in the Philippines—why do it in the U.S.?")

“Two persons forcefully grabbed Mike outside of a restaurant, forced him into a car, and handcuffed him. He was not informed of anything, and Michael just thought it was going to be a short interrogation,” Baclay added.

Baclay claimed the arrest was wrongful and based merely on allegations. He said both Sordilla and Tarosa believed they were only going to be questioned and did not expect to be detained.

A U.S. federal jury later indicted Sordilla, Tarosa, and an American citizen, Gemma Traya Austin, for allegedly defrauding elderly authors. The U.S. Department of Justice said the scheme involved nearly $44 million and was linked to agents working under Innocentrix.

Innocentrix Philippines, founded in 2019 by Sordilla, is a BPO company offering services to local and international clients. Its core services include software innovation and system development, online voting and e-tabulation services, graphic design and creative solutions, and content writing and marketing services.

Sordilla is also the founder of Hiyas Philippines, a group involved in community outreach programs, including feeding initiatives and other forms of local assistance.