Remulla: DOJ may file cases vs. ‘witnesses’ in POGO raid in Las Piñas

DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) Secre- tary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DOJ will look into the possibility of filing perjury and obstruction of justice charges against witnesses who later refuse to testify following a raid on the compound of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Las Piñas last month.

The Justice chief also criticized the Philippine National Police (PNP) raid for having been done without coordina- tion with the DOJ and for supposedly lacking sufficient bases and evidence.

The PNP reportedly admitted that one of the challenges in bringing cases in court against five Chinese suspects was the refusal of witnesses to later testify against those behind the online scam operations once were rescued, despite initially providing information to the court that issued the search warrants.

“The problem is once they’re okay, their perception of danger, their fear went away, so they no longer wanted to testify. Under our laws, that’s perjury and obstruction of justice,” Remulla, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said. Remulla said the witnesses’ refusal to testify hampers the prosecution of cases, as in the case in Las Piñas where they had to order the release of the said Chinese suspects while they undergo preliminary investigation.

Quoted by ABS-CBN News, Remulla further said: “the problem there is if a witness disappears, what will the prosecutor do? They release for further investigation. We will take to prosecutors that if witnesses agree to testify and they signed something, they should be held accountable.”

“The problem is you complained, there’s a case, but once you went home, you no longer wanted to testify. So everything is left hanging,” he added. Rey E. Requejo

Regulators approve toll increase for all vehicles taking CAVITEX

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. (CIC) has secured the green light from the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to implement toll rate adjustments at the CAVITEX Paranaque and Kawit Toll Plazas.

The TRB issued a notice of toll rate implementation for R-1 Expressway (Seaside to Zapote) and R1 Expressway Extension Segment 4 (Zapote to Kawit) of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project, filed by CIC and joint venture partner Philippine Reclamation Authority’s (PRA).

The TRB said the toll rate increase covers the 2017 Petition for Approval of Periodic Toll Rate Adjustment for R1 Expressway and R1 Expressway Extension Segment 4.

Toll rates for Class 1 vehicles (cars and SUVs) at the R-1 Expressway, a 6.48km expressway from Seaside Drive, Paranaque to Zapote, Las Pinas will be increased to P35 from P33.

While those for Class 2 vehicles (minivans and buses) will be raised to P70 from the current P67. Toll fees for Class 3 vehicles (large trucks and trailers) will be increased to P104 from the current P100.

Toll rates for Class 1 vehicles at Segment 4, a 7.4-km, 2×2 lane expressway from Zapote Interchange in Bacoor to Kawit Toll Plaza will be hiked to P73 from the current P64.

For Class 2 vehicles the toll fees will be raised to P145 from the current P129, while for Class 3 vehicles it will increase to P219 from the current P194.

“Apart from these transactions, we are also excited to launch the online visa waiver and the tourist visa extension,” said Tansingco. Temporary visitors’ visa extension, or more commonly known as tourist visa extension, is one of the more common transactions of the BI for foreign tourists who wish to stay longer in the country.

“Visa extension is really one of the highlights of our eServices, given its impact on Philippine Tourism. We all know that the DOT (Department of Tourism) has recently launched the country’s new slogan, that’s why we are finding ways to make it easy for everyone to love our country more,” Tansingco added.

Vito Barcelo

Taiwan offers study-work program for Filipinos

THE Taiwan government is offering “studywork-abroad “ for Filipino students who wish to study engineering courses in Taiwan, according to Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Sivestre Bello III. “Taiwan is offering mechanical, electrical, information and environmental engineering courses at the Khun Sun University in Kaohsiung City, one of the best universities in Taiwan,” Bello III said who was the guest of honor during the graduation of the Filipino students who all finished their four-year courses in electro-mechanical engineering. The “study-work-abroad” program has been going on for the past five years starting in 2018 where over 200 young Filipinos were accepted by the school and many of these Filipinos are now working in the electronic factories in Taiwan earning substantial salaries like their OFW compatriots. The offer is part of Taiwan’s Asean Southward policy to attract students to learn CNC and eventually work in Taiwan’s vast manufacturing companies. This is a study/apprentice program for those Filipinos who are eager to work overseas and study machining skills at the same time. Vito Barcelo

Bicol’s dolphin population critical, researchers say

THE rare Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) of San Miguel Bay in Bicol are already at risk of disappearing from the region, researchers said.

A mission to find live Irrawaddy dolphins in the area of San Miguel Bay in Bicol led scientists from the University of the Philippines –Diliman College of Science Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UPD-CS IESM) to validate the existence in the area of this critically-endangered species during a recent dolphin survey conducted from July 6 to 9, 2023.

Irrawaddy dolphins are characterized by gray or dark-blue backs and pale bellies, with a high tolerance to various levels of salinity that enables them to live in areas where salty seawater and freshwater meet, such as in the mouths of rivers and bays. They are among the world’s most endangered dolphin species.

The team, led by IESM Professor and Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Laboratory (MMRCL) Head Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, sighted two Irrawaddy dolphins—one near Apuao Island and another near Canimog Island, both in the waters of Mercedes, Camarines Norte.