Court

will be done inside the national penitentiary so that key inmates involved in the recently discovered burial ground inside the NBP compound could shed light on the said matter.

Tolentino last week filed Senate Resolution 709 and sought for a thorough probe after a mass grave was unearthed along the septic tank of the NBP’s maximum security compound while prison officials were searching for a missing inmate identified as Michael Angelo Cataroja. Cataroja was last seen on July 14.

Tolentino’s panel is also keen to look into the into the recent incidents at the Bureau of Correction (BuCor) that compromise the safety and security of the “persons deprived of liberty” or PDLs detained inside the national penitentiary as well as pose danger to the lives and limbs of the prison personnel therein.

Records from BuCor as of December 2022 also showed that out of the 673 recorded deaths inside the NBP compound, eight were caused by as - phyxia, one by gunshot wounds, six by stab wounds and three by traumatic head injuries.

Last July 26, another casualty was recorded after a gang war broke out inside the maximum security compound. The victim, identified as Alvin Barba, died after he was stabbed with an ice pick.

During the same riot incident, BuCor’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was able to recover a cal. 45 pistol and 12 rounds of ammunition at the area of occurrence.

orders release of 4 Chinese nationals nabbed in raid on Pogo

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Court of Appeals has issued a writ of habeas corpus ordering the immediate release from detention of four Chinese nationals who were among those arrested in the June 27 raid by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cyber Crime Group (PNP-ACG) of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) service provider hub in Las Piñas City.

Covered by the CA’s Tenth Division order dated July 28, 2023 were Ang Chin Keong, Choo Jun Cheng, Choo Wei Jazz and a certain “Edy.” nationals who are possible victims of human trafficking, the appellate court held that the absence of the latter’s consent is “fatal to their continued detention.”

Nova G. De Castro, and all those acting under their instructions and command, including those who may have taken actual, legal and/or constructive custody of Keong, et al., are ordered to immediately discharge and/or release from any custody, detention, confinement or other restraint which is currently undertaken at Hong Tai Compound, 501 Alabang Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Pinas City…” Nartatez, regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Hernia, director of the PNP-ACG, were among those named respondents in the petition for the writ.

The PNP-ACG defended the raid and told the CA that the foreign nationals were not allowed to leave the premises, being potential victims of human trafficking.

The respondents noted that most of them are with expired passports, have no working visas, or minors, whose passports are captured by the employer POGO facility.

The PNP-ACG said they had already referred the foreign nationals to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assessment as potential trafficking victims.

The CA also noted that Keong et al legally entered the country and have valid passports and working or tourist visas that allows them continued stay.

The CA noted they are not in the BI’s hold departure, blacklist and or with derogatory records.

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism and environmental protection during the Philippine Councilor’s League Occidental Mindoro General Assembly held on August 3 at Acacia Hotel in Davao City.

Go recounted his travels across the country and his efforts to provide assistance during natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

The senator’s speech took a focused turn towards the theme of the assembly, “Mobilizing Legislation and Governance through Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Protection,” emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism practices and the need to preserve the country’s natural resources.

“Tourism can be a powerful catalyst for economic growth, creating jobs and generating revenue. However, it must be done in a manner that respects our ecosystems and preserves the very attractions that draw visitors to our shores,” Go stated. He also emphasized the importance of community-based tourism initiatives, saying that “engaging in community-based tourism initiatives can empower our people, allowing them to actively participate in decision-making processes and benefit equitably from tourism-related activities.”

In addition to tourism, Go talked about the critical importance of environmental protection. He called on the councilors to pass ordinances that safeguard natural heritage, regulate land use, and curb activities that degrade the environment.

“Our biodiversity is a treasure that must be preserved for future generations. From our lush forests to our pristine beaches, every ecosystem plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance,” he said.

Go co-authored Senate Bill 1841, which seeks to enhance the preservation and safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Philippines by means of cultural mapping.

Meanwhile, Go also shared his priorities as chairperson of the Committee on Health, including the expansion of the “Malasakit Center” program and the establishment of super health centers (SHCs).

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 (Malasakit Centers Act of 2019), which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

To date, 158 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH.

He also reiterated his commitment to support the establishment of more SHCs across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots.

Services offered in the SHCs include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine.

Go called for unity and collaboration across political affiliations and geographical boundaries.

He encouraged the councilors to learn from successful initiatives in other regions and adapt them to the unique needs of Occidental Mindoro.

“Let us unite and rise to the occasion, embracing the theme of this assembly with determination and dedication. Together, we can create a legacy of responsible stewardship that will leave a lasting impact on future generations,” he said.

The petition for the writ was filed by lawyer Jocel Isidro S. Dilag on behalf of the four foreign nationals. Habeas corpus “is a writ directed to a person detaining another, commanding the former to produce the body of the latter at a designated time and place.” It extends “to all cases of illegal and arbitrary detention by which any person is deprived of his liberty….”

The CA said in an 18-page decision penned by Associate Justice Rex Bernardo L. Pascual: “We have examined into the cause of caption and restraint of Keong, et al., and we are satisfied that they are unlawfully restrained. The totality of the circumstances show that Keong, et al, were unlawfully restrained.”

The CA added: “The PNP through PBGen Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PBGen Sidney S. Hernia, P. Col. Atty. Arvie A. Paraon-Bueno, P. Col. Atty.

The four petitioners were among the more than 2,700 individuals, including 600 Chinese, 180 Vietnamese, 140 Indonesian, 130 Malaysian nationals and Filipinos, who were detained at the premises of the Hong Tai Compound, a mixed-use facility for residential and commercial purposes, situated along Alabang Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City.

The petitioners claimed that a large part of the Filipino group had already been released by the respondents, while foreigners, including Keong’s group, are still detained in their respective rooms “against their will, without any running water and food rations.”

In fact, petitioners claimed they were even required to get the respondents’ permission just to gain access to a working toilet or buy potable water from the compound’s convenience store.

However, in siding with the petitioners, the Court considered the PNP’s failure to present a copy of the search warrants used as basis in conducting the raid.

The fact that no search warrants were presented by the PNP would show that the warrants are adverse to it. Section 3 (e), Rule 131 of the Revised Rules on Evidence provides that evidence willfully suppressed would be adverse if produced, unless contradicted and overcome by other evidence,” it noted.

The CA further held that “no judicial process was presented to the Court by the PNP to allow for the continued detention of Keong et al.”

The appellate court said even the purported protective custody of Keong et al does not justify their continued restraint.

While the PNP cited the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 as the process to secure and restrict the movement of the said foreign

Marina to align program with long-term MIDP

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) is aligning its strategic plans and programs with the long-term Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP), its chief said over the weekend.

Marina Administrator Hernani N. Fabia said the agency recently conducted an updating workshop of the Marina Voyage Plan (MVP) 2028, reaffirming the agency’s “commitment to aligning its plans with the MIDP, emphasizing the importance of contributing effectively to the development and growth of the maritime industry.”

The workshop’s primary objective was to update the Marina Voyage Plan’s

5-year strategic deliverables, strategic contributions and program scorecards.

Fabia said this comprehensive approach ensures that Marina’s initiatives and projects are geared towards fulfilling the MIDP’s vision and objectives.

He noted that through this alignment, Marina “demonstrates its commitment to responsible and strategic planning, ensuring the effective implementation of the MIDP’s goals.”

This, Fabia added, will help Marina to “significantly contribute” to the growth of the maritime sector, while ensuring safety and sustainability for the years to come.

The outputs are set to be validated during the Authority’s mid-year performance assessment and planning conference on set for August 9 to August 11.

The MIDP 2028 encompasses eight core programs designed to propel the industry forward sustainably and innovatively, covering modernization and expansion of domestic shipping, promotion and expansion of overseas shipping, modernization, expansion and promotion of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry, promotion of highly skilled and competitive maritime workforce, enhancement of maritime transport safety and security, promotion of environmentally sustainable maritime industry, implementation of a sustainable maritime innovation, transformation, digitalization and knowledge center and the adoption and implementation of an effective and efficient maritime administration governance system.

Govt to celebrate PHL’s 1st ‘Communications Month’

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

THE government is set to celebrate the first “Communications Month” in October under the new issuance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

In his 2-page Proclamation 308, the chief executive disclosed the creation of the said event will help promote “true, accurate and relevant information” regarding government policies, programs and projects.

“An effective communication mechanism is vital in the engagement and involvement of the citizenry and the media industry in enriching the quality of public discourse on all matters of governance,” Marcos said.

The new issuance tasked the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to take the lead in the observance of the Communications Month.

Other government agencies and instrumentalities including government, government-owned or-controlled corporations to assist PCO in its activities for the said event.

Marcos encouraged non-government organizations, the private sector and local government units to also provide similar support to PCO.

The new proclamation, which was signed last Wednesday, also set the anniversary of PCO to the 11th of October every year.

PCO was initially called Office of Special Services, when it was created by President Manuel L. Quezon on October 11, 1942. It was later renamed to the Office of the Press Secretary and then PCO through Executive Order 11, which was issued on December 29, 2022 by Marcos.

But, the SC clarified tha its ruling is not a pronouncement on the validity of the June 27 operation, that it also pertains to the circumstances affecting the petitioners.

“However, with respect to the law enforcement operation last June 27, 2023, our finding of some irregularities therein is made only in so far as supporting our declaration that the purported protective custody in this case is not a sanctioned process to lawfully restrain Keong, et al.,” the CA said.

“We are not making any pronouncement on the validity of said law enforcement operation. Neither are we saying that a legitimate law enforcement operation including a valid temporary custody effected therein is beyond the reach of habeas corpus.

Marikina to file case as drone displays inverted flag colors

THE Marikina City government will be filling a case against the drone operator and supplier after it displayed the red color of the Philippine flag on top while the color blue was in the bottom.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino R. Teodoro also strongly condemned the incident, the statement of the Marikina city government read.

The statement also expressed that the Marikina City Government is suing DroneTech Inc. to determine the company’s legal responsibilities including the accompanying penalties and fines.

The inverted colors of the Philippine flag was part of a display during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa Meanwhile, DroneTech issued a statement, apologizing to Teodoro. “to the country and its people and the Philippine government” for the “grave error” they committed.

“We would like to clarify that this error in the ‘Drone Show’ programming. which was supposed to be tested days before could have been noticed and corrected was not successfully done due to severe weather conditions and signal interference on the said area for several nights,” read DroneTech’s statement issued last Sunday.

The 63rd Palarong Pambansa 2023 in Marikina officially ended on August 5 after a week of intense competition.

The Marikina city government and the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted the Palaro in Marikina from July 31 to August 5, three years after it was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio and Teodoro led the closing ceremonies of Palaro 2023 at the Marikina Sports Center.

Showcasing their talents, performers from various schools in Marikina gleefully sang and danced during the pre-program activity of the closing ceremony of Palaro 2023.