BI, IACAT form new pact vs. trafficking

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) formed a collaborative effort to fight the rising incidents of human trafficking in the country.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansinco who has long been vocal about the urgent need to combat the issue of human trafficking, has raised the concern over the alarming reports of trafficking in person, victimizing hundreds of Filipinos seeking jobs abroad.

“This problem is both severe and complex. Hence there is a need for collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies, non-governmental or- ganizations, intelligence units, and the private sector,” he added.

The efforts align with the recent Notice issued by INTERPOL, highlighting the escalating threat posed by large-scale human trafficking, where victims are duped into committing crimes within pseudo-call centers.

As early as last year, Philippine immigration authorities have closely monitored this modus, which INTERPOL said has transformed from a regional crime phenomenon to a global threat.

Victims are usually enticed through job advertisements online, only to find themselves trapped in online scam centers where they are forced to engage in criminal activities.

Tayag said once the issues on DOH’s finances and healthcare workers’ exodus are addressed, he hopes President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will give the agency a bigger budget for next year.

For 2023, the Senate approved the proposed more than P320-billion budget for the DOH, its attached agencies, and specialty hospitals across the nation.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TOUR.

Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco (center, in white), an ardent advocate of nuclear energy, leads the site tour of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan on June 3 together with Gayle Certeza, convenor of Alpas Pinas, a nonprofit organization that advocates the use of nuclear energy; officials of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute; and members of the media. Joseph Muego

On Thursday, Port District Collector Carmelita Talusan met with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Jonathan Tan to discuss initiatives and enhance collaboration.

During the meeting, the two officials demonstrated their commitment in promoting a conducive business environment, enhancing trade facilitation, and ensuring efficient customs processes within the Port of Subic. They engaged in constructive dialogue, addressing various aspects of customs operations and border protection.

Joel E. Zurbano

QC LGU talk show cited with broadcasting award

THE Quezon City government’s regular, bi-monthly online talk show, Usapang QC (or “Let’s Talk, QC!”) has received the prestigious Excellence Award at the inaugural Asia Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2023 held in Singapore last June 8. Usapang QC, which runs every other Friday and livestreamed via the official Facebook page of the city government, showcases not only the initiatives of the local government but the experiences of residents who have benefitted from the city’s diverse programs and projects as well. Questions and comments from online viewers and barangay leaders are given due importance during the show. Rio

N. Araja

Power firms hold nuke plant tour for mediamen

By Butch Gunio

POWER plant companies GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) and GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co (GMEC) organized a power plant tour and invited members of the media to attend.

The companies said members of the media were introduced to the operations of the power plants.

The tour was participated by newsmen coming from Bataan and Zambales; as well as from media outlets DZRH, NET25, iOrbitNews, Punto Central Luzon, Central Luzon Herald, 88.7 FM Olongapo, KFive Zambales, and Radyo Bandera.

The members of the media outfits were escorted by representatives from GNPD and GMEC in touring the two plants. Prior to the tour, the journalists underwent safety orientations and wore the necessary gear.

Headaches of the chief gun regulator

By Nonnie Pelayo

WHEN then Col. Paul Kenneth Lucas assumed command as director of the National Police’s Firearms and Explosives Office in August last year – he eventually was promoted to one-star rank – two problems immediately confronted him: half a million guns with expired registration and about 400,000 gun owners who have expired licenses.

Technically, those weapons are “loose firearms” and should be collected, while the delinquent gun owners are liable for “illegal possession of firearms,” a criminal offense punishable by 40 years jail, depending on the number of their unlicensed guns.

Gun possession has always been a controversial issue in the Philippines and elsewhere.

Unlike in the United States where gun possession is guaranteed by the Second Amendment of its Constitution, there is no such guarantee in the Philippines.

As early as 1908, the Supreme Court, in the case of The Government of the Philippine Islands v Amechazurra44 ruled:

“x x x no private person is bound to keep arms. Whether he does or not is entirely optional with himself, but if, for his own convenience or pleasure, he desires to possess arms, he must do so upon such terms as the Government sees fit to impose, for the right to keep and bear arms is not secured to him by law.

By 1983, 11 years after the imposition of martial law, then President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree 1866 that integrated all issuances on firearms, including Act 2711, into a single law and harsher penalties on illegal gun possession were imposed.

Fast forward, when actor Robin Padilla (now a senator) was convicted of illegal possession of firearms in the 1990s, his fellow actor Sen. Ramon Revilla filed a bill that lowered the penalty for the offense to cut short Padilla’s Muntinlupa sojourn.

A cooperative Congress passed the bill and then President Fidel V. Ramos (for whom Padilla campaigned during the 1992 presidential elections) signed it into law.

Thus, Padilla was released early and was later granted an absolute pardon, allowing him to run for the Senate in 2022.

When President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, a gun enthusiast and practical shooting afficionado, assumed office, gun ownership again took a plunge.

Aquino signed Republic Act 10591 on May 29, 2014, almost four years into his sixyear term.

This law changed the concept of gun ownership. From being “property” of the State, guns were now deemed the property of the owners, as they should be.

Previously, guns were licensed to individuals, now the person is the licensee and his guns must be registered. Just like having a driver’s license and a motor vehicle.

The National Police then issued the regulations on licensing and registration.

At the start of the law’s implementation, licenses now called “License to Own and Possess Firearms” or LTOPF were good for two years while gun registration was for four years.

Realizing the awkwardness of the situation, General Lucas said licenses and registration have been made coterminous.

To grease the palm, a law signed by then President Rodrigo Duterte allowed gun licenses and firearm registrations to be valid for up to 10 years.

Both are renewable as early as six months before expiration.