By Kit Bagaipo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:01:00 04/27/2009
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol—The Central Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO-7) has ordered provincial commanders in the region to launch a stronger campaign against the illegal numbers game called “Swertres.”
PRO-7 acting director Chief Superintendent Federico Terte also warned on Thursday that he would remove from their posts the police officers who fail to stop the illegal numbers game.
Terte and Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa visited Bohol Thursday to inaugurate the new police headquarters in Batuan town and to attend the groundbreaking of the police headquarters in Balilihan town.
Terte said the PRO-7 would send a team to different provinces in the region to help enforce the anti-Swertres campaign.
The apprehension of two Swertres operators in the same area by a police team from another town or unit would mean the removal of the station commander, Terte said.
The relief of two police chiefs in a province would result in the removal of the provincial police director while the relief of three provincial directors would also mean that the regional director would be axed, Terte added.
He directed the provincial directors in Central Visayas to submit within the month an update on the anti-Swertres campaign.
Terte also directed the police chiefs to coordinate with local government officials to make the campaign against illegal gambling a priority in their respective localities.
He called on all sectors, including some members of the media who have been giving tips and results of “Swertres” over the radio programs, to help in the efforts to minimize illegal gambling.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
3 OFWs forced into prostitution in Malaysia
Victims seek repatriation
By Kit Bagaipo
Inquirer Visayas
TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines -- Three female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who alleged that the owner of a reflexology center in Malaysia forced them to take drugs and have sex with clients, have sought the help of a Bohol lawmaker for their repatriation.
Through text messages sent to the office of Bohol First District Representative Edgar Chatto, the three OFWs said they wanted be repatriated "as soon as possible" as they feared that they "might not be able to return home alive" because of their dangerous situation in Malaysia.
They claimed that their well-connected employer threatened to torture them if they refused to take drugs or have sex with clients.
In her latest text message, one of the OFWs disclosed that they had not received their salary.
One of the three OFWs also recalled that she and her two friends entered Malaysia as "tourists" although they were assured that they could work there.
However, the owner of the reflexology center did not process their working permits when they entered Malaysia.
They gave their full names and addresses in the Philippines but they asked that their identities be kept confidential to protect their honor and that of their respective families. They also gave their roaming mobile numbers.
They also gave the full name of their Malaysian boss and his business address but they also asked that the information be kept off the record for now.
Chatto, who is currently in the United States, has started contacting the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the families of the three migrant workers.
He said he would check with the Department of Labor and Employment to trace the deployment of the three OFWs.
Chatto authored House Bill 5649, a measure seeking to improve standards of protection and assistance for migrant workers, and House Bill 4898, a legislation creating an OFW pension fund.
By Kit Bagaipo
Inquirer Visayas
TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines -- Three female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who alleged that the owner of a reflexology center in Malaysia forced them to take drugs and have sex with clients, have sought the help of a Bohol lawmaker for their repatriation.
Through text messages sent to the office of Bohol First District Representative Edgar Chatto, the three OFWs said they wanted be repatriated "as soon as possible" as they feared that they "might not be able to return home alive" because of their dangerous situation in Malaysia.
They claimed that their well-connected employer threatened to torture them if they refused to take drugs or have sex with clients.
In her latest text message, one of the OFWs disclosed that they had not received their salary.
One of the three OFWs also recalled that she and her two friends entered Malaysia as "tourists" although they were assured that they could work there.
However, the owner of the reflexology center did not process their working permits when they entered Malaysia.
They gave their full names and addresses in the Philippines but they asked that their identities be kept confidential to protect their honor and that of their respective families. They also gave their roaming mobile numbers.
They also gave the full name of their Malaysian boss and his business address but they also asked that the information be kept off the record for now.
Chatto, who is currently in the United States, has started contacting the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the families of the three migrant workers.
He said he would check with the Department of Labor and Employment to trace the deployment of the three OFWs.
Chatto authored House Bill 5649, a measure seeking to improve standards of protection and assistance for migrant workers, and House Bill 4898, a legislation creating an OFW pension fund.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
P150M investment in Legacy from Boholanos
By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle
Money claims of Boholano investors against the bankrupt pre-need firm Legacy Group could reach up to P150 million.
This was bared by the legal counsel of the Bohol Investors Group, Atty. Salvador Grupo, as insolvency claims against the pre-need companies of Legacy will be filed on Monday, April 20.
Grupo originally set the deadline for investors to submit their claims today but decided to extend it five more days as the number of claimants has reached 300.
The Bohol Investors Group has also requested a meeting with Legacy owner Celso delos Angeles before filing its notice claims at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 56 next week.
According to Grupo, the local investors will be intervening in the insolvency proceedings in court as a group, not as individuals.
With investments ranging from P200,000 to P2 million, the total consolidated claims of the group handled by Grupo could reach roughly P150 million.
There are other investors who opted to personally submit their investment claims at the Makati RTC.
Boholano investors were among those victimized by Legacy Group's promise of huge returns.
The Pilipino Rural Bank-Tagbilaran Branch which closed down last December also victimized hundreds of Boholanos who were lured by the high interest rate offers of the bank.
Some 14,000 Boholanos are said to be depositors of the rural bank which is an affiliate of the Legacy Group.
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is currently processing insured deposit claims from the rural bank's clients.
The Bohol Chronicle
Money claims of Boholano investors against the bankrupt pre-need firm Legacy Group could reach up to P150 million.
This was bared by the legal counsel of the Bohol Investors Group, Atty. Salvador Grupo, as insolvency claims against the pre-need companies of Legacy will be filed on Monday, April 20.
Grupo originally set the deadline for investors to submit their claims today but decided to extend it five more days as the number of claimants has reached 300.
The Bohol Investors Group has also requested a meeting with Legacy owner Celso delos Angeles before filing its notice claims at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 56 next week.
According to Grupo, the local investors will be intervening in the insolvency proceedings in court as a group, not as individuals.
With investments ranging from P200,000 to P2 million, the total consolidated claims of the group handled by Grupo could reach roughly P150 million.
There are other investors who opted to personally submit their investment claims at the Makati RTC.
Boholano investors were among those victimized by Legacy Group's promise of huge returns.
The Pilipino Rural Bank-Tagbilaran Branch which closed down last December also victimized hundreds of Boholanos who were lured by the high interest rate offers of the bank.
Some 14,000 Boholanos are said to be depositors of the rural bank which is an affiliate of the Legacy Group.
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is currently processing insured deposit claims from the rural bank's clients.
Public warned on buying "hot cars"
By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle
Stolen vehicles that are smuggled into the province continue to sell, victimizing unsuspecting car buyers.
The Traffic Management Group-Bohol Highway Patrol Team based at Camp Dagohoy, this city, is again warning the public of buying second hand cars to check first the records of the vehicle they want to buy to ensure that these are not marked as stolen based on records.
TMG S/Insp. Eduardo Mara told the Chronicle that buyers of second hand cars must be cautious so they would not fall victims of syndicates selling carnapped vehicles.
With the growing tour business in Bohol, Mara said smuggled vans have found their way to Bohol as many tourism operators are investing into the van-for-hire business.
Despite ongoing operations against stolen vehicles, the TMG-Bohol continue to apprehend and seize vehicles that are flagged stolen.
"There are still a lot of 'hot cars' in Bohol, this is because buyers here in the province are more vulnerable compared to the ones in the big cities who are more meticulous in buying vehicles," Mara disclosed.
Last Friday, the highway patrol group seized during an operation in Loboc town a white Nissan Urvan, owned by a certain Rodrigo Balaba, which had been reported stolen on July 14, 2005 in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Mara said, Balaba purchased the van through a financing agency in Cebu City that acted as agent to a certain Dulce Corazon Diasanta, with residence address at Camia Street, Pembo, Makati City.
Although the Nissan van was registered to Diasanta, the TMG believes the name is fictitious as the vehicle was registered at the Land Transportation Office in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.
METICULOUS CHECKS
Mara explained that car buyers and even second-hand car display centers must have a vehicle macro-etched first to determine if it is not flagged as stolen in the TMG list of hot cars.
"The buyer should take extra caution and determine the records of the vehicle they want to buy," he said.
Car buyers must first go to the TMG office before buying a unit and ensure that the vehicle is not carnapped, otherwise, the buyer may also be held liable, if the unit is apprehended, for buying a stolen vehicle, Mara said.
Tampered chassis or engine numbers can be checked by macro-etching, according to Mara.
Documents of vehicles can be checked at the LTO as smuggled or stolen cars will have registration problems.
Agents of the TMG regional office confiscated at least eight alleged stolen vehicles during an operation here in 2007. The seized cars are now impounded at the TMG regional office in Cebu City.
"A particular vehicle sold by a dealer must bear registration papers from the nearest LTO office," Mara explained.
Mara added that LTO Visayas and Mindanao field offices have become the registration haven for carnappers and smugglers.
The Tagbilaran City LTO office is listed among the main sources of license plates and registration papers for stolen vehicles.
Shipment of hot cars to the provinces have become easier ever since the Anti-Carnapping Clearance have been abolished as a requirement to transport vehicles, Mara concluded.
The Bohol Chronicle
Stolen vehicles that are smuggled into the province continue to sell, victimizing unsuspecting car buyers.
The Traffic Management Group-Bohol Highway Patrol Team based at Camp Dagohoy, this city, is again warning the public of buying second hand cars to check first the records of the vehicle they want to buy to ensure that these are not marked as stolen based on records.
TMG S/Insp. Eduardo Mara told the Chronicle that buyers of second hand cars must be cautious so they would not fall victims of syndicates selling carnapped vehicles.
With the growing tour business in Bohol, Mara said smuggled vans have found their way to Bohol as many tourism operators are investing into the van-for-hire business.
Despite ongoing operations against stolen vehicles, the TMG-Bohol continue to apprehend and seize vehicles that are flagged stolen.
"There are still a lot of 'hot cars' in Bohol, this is because buyers here in the province are more vulnerable compared to the ones in the big cities who are more meticulous in buying vehicles," Mara disclosed.
Last Friday, the highway patrol group seized during an operation in Loboc town a white Nissan Urvan, owned by a certain Rodrigo Balaba, which had been reported stolen on July 14, 2005 in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Mara said, Balaba purchased the van through a financing agency in Cebu City that acted as agent to a certain Dulce Corazon Diasanta, with residence address at Camia Street, Pembo, Makati City.
Although the Nissan van was registered to Diasanta, the TMG believes the name is fictitious as the vehicle was registered at the Land Transportation Office in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.
METICULOUS CHECKS
Mara explained that car buyers and even second-hand car display centers must have a vehicle macro-etched first to determine if it is not flagged as stolen in the TMG list of hot cars.
"The buyer should take extra caution and determine the records of the vehicle they want to buy," he said.
Car buyers must first go to the TMG office before buying a unit and ensure that the vehicle is not carnapped, otherwise, the buyer may also be held liable, if the unit is apprehended, for buying a stolen vehicle, Mara said.
Tampered chassis or engine numbers can be checked by macro-etching, according to Mara.
Documents of vehicles can be checked at the LTO as smuggled or stolen cars will have registration problems.
Agents of the TMG regional office confiscated at least eight alleged stolen vehicles during an operation here in 2007. The seized cars are now impounded at the TMG regional office in Cebu City.
"A particular vehicle sold by a dealer must bear registration papers from the nearest LTO office," Mara explained.
Mara added that LTO Visayas and Mindanao field offices have become the registration haven for carnappers and smugglers.
The Tagbilaran City LTO office is listed among the main sources of license plates and registration papers for stolen vehicles.
Shipment of hot cars to the provinces have become easier ever since the Anti-Carnapping Clearance have been abolished as a requirement to transport vehicles, Mara concluded.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Bohol politics sizzles: Jala says “No deal” with Sec. Yap
By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol Chronicle
The battle for the Third District congressional seat will be a virtual clash of the titans - between two administration figures holding national posts in the Arroyo government.
As reports arise that Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap is maneuvering to cut a compromise deal for a single term in Congress, former congressman and now Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Eladio Jala, who has bared his plans of staging a comeback in the 3rd district, says no such agreement was reached between him and the agriculture boss.
In fact, the two officials have evaded discussing their own political agenda during chance encounters and sorties in the 3rd district, said Jala in an interview with the Chronicle yesterday.
The rumors on Sec. Yap's intention to run in the 3rd congressional district was confirmed after he filed for voter's registration in barangay Buenavista, Loboc town, two weeks ago.
Originally registered as voter in Manila, Yap is a Boholano by affinity due to his marriage to the daughter of Annie Gow, a native of Loboc.
According to reports, the camp of Yap is striking a deal with Jala in order to be given the opportunity to represent the 3rd district in Congress. The congressional mandate will purportedly be Yap's stepping stone for a senatorial bid in the 2013 elections.
The 3rd congressional district will be tendered to Yap "on a silver platter", according to the report, with the assurance that Yap will vacate it after one term in office and run for senator in the 2013 polls.
When asked to comment on such negotiation, Yap in a text message to the Chronicle last night said, "I have not been informed or aware of such arrangement".
Jala will not totally sit it out in the next three years as he will retain his cabinet portfolio in the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) or may be given an even higher position by President Arroyo, according to the report.
Jala however brushed aside any likelihood for such a scenario.
"Such a deal is the surest way to alienate your supporters," said Jala who declared his intention of reclaiming his old congressional seat presently held by son Adam Relson Jala.
"If somebody has to withdraw from this race, it should be him (Yap), not me," Jala stressed.
Jala said his desire to serve again the people in the 3rd district gained momentum as supporters and leaders have persuaded him to seek re-election.
Jala was first elected as provincial board member representing the 3rd district for six years before his three terms in Congress.
The former lawmaker's dominance was put to test in the last election following his son's slim victory over former governor Rene Relampagos. Jala got 65,081 votes over Relampagos' 62,106 votes.
Despite allegations of vote-padding and vote-shaving, the Jalas persevered keeping the congressional post within the family.
"The voters will be the ultimate judge. But as I see it now, I still have the warm support of my constituents in the 3rd district," he added.
"While forging such an agreement allows us to form alliances and ensure that the top leaders of Bohol remain a cohesive force, I don't think I can turn my back to my supporters who have been intact for more than 15 years," Jala pointed out.
GMA'S NOD?
Asked whether Pres. Arroyo would intercede to iron out hitches within the administration bloc especially the looming collision with Sec. Yap, former congressman Jala admitted there has been no official statement from the president on the matter.
In fact, Pres. Arroyo was very cautious to comment on Bohol political positioning during a recent meeting at the Palace with Gov. Erico Aumentado, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Rep. Edgar Chatto, Rep. Roberto Cajes, and the Jalas.
"Even before we met with the president in Malacañang, I already informed the other Bohol leaders that in the event Pres. Arroyo would ask me to give way for Sec. Yap, I would readily turn down such proposal," Jala disclosed.
He said Aumentado, Herrera, Chatto and Cajes all agreed to respect his decision but each expressed their intention for party unity.
"I was honestly worried that the president would ask me to yield in favor of Yap, but I'm glad she did not," Jala said.
Arroyo went on to discuss about ongoing projects in the province and simply listened to the Bohol political situationer.
YAP'S VISIBILITY
The DA secretary is always visible in Bohol, especially in the towns of the 3rd district where he had been rumored to run since last year.
One of Pres. Arroyo's designated stewards in implementing the Comprehensive Livelihood Employment Program (CLEEP), Yap has at his disposal some P50-million in DA funds to help farmers.
In another interview, Yap had said his visits to Bohol "must not be injected with political color" as this is in line with his job to implement agri-related production program especially that he was assigned by the President to coordinate the projects in the province
Asked to comment about the use of agriculture funds and Yap's political positioning in the 3rd district, Jala said he is just thankful to the secretary for bringing projects to the district which is represented by his son.
One of the youngest to be appointed to the Arroyo cabinet, Yap, who is a lawyer by profession, held at least five positions in government since 2001.
He first entered government as president of the Philippine International Trading Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry. He later served as administrator of the National Food Authority for two years. Yap was also designated director general of the Presidential Management Staff.
Pres. Arroyo became the secretary's economics professor when he took management and economics in college.
The Bohol Chronicle
The battle for the Third District congressional seat will be a virtual clash of the titans - between two administration figures holding national posts in the Arroyo government.
As reports arise that Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap is maneuvering to cut a compromise deal for a single term in Congress, former congressman and now Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Eladio Jala, who has bared his plans of staging a comeback in the 3rd district, says no such agreement was reached between him and the agriculture boss.
In fact, the two officials have evaded discussing their own political agenda during chance encounters and sorties in the 3rd district, said Jala in an interview with the Chronicle yesterday.
The rumors on Sec. Yap's intention to run in the 3rd congressional district was confirmed after he filed for voter's registration in barangay Buenavista, Loboc town, two weeks ago.
Originally registered as voter in Manila, Yap is a Boholano by affinity due to his marriage to the daughter of Annie Gow, a native of Loboc.
According to reports, the camp of Yap is striking a deal with Jala in order to be given the opportunity to represent the 3rd district in Congress. The congressional mandate will purportedly be Yap's stepping stone for a senatorial bid in the 2013 elections.
The 3rd congressional district will be tendered to Yap "on a silver platter", according to the report, with the assurance that Yap will vacate it after one term in office and run for senator in the 2013 polls.
When asked to comment on such negotiation, Yap in a text message to the Chronicle last night said, "I have not been informed or aware of such arrangement".
Jala will not totally sit it out in the next three years as he will retain his cabinet portfolio in the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) or may be given an even higher position by President Arroyo, according to the report.
Jala however brushed aside any likelihood for such a scenario.
"Such a deal is the surest way to alienate your supporters," said Jala who declared his intention of reclaiming his old congressional seat presently held by son Adam Relson Jala.
"If somebody has to withdraw from this race, it should be him (Yap), not me," Jala stressed.
Jala said his desire to serve again the people in the 3rd district gained momentum as supporters and leaders have persuaded him to seek re-election.
Jala was first elected as provincial board member representing the 3rd district for six years before his three terms in Congress.
The former lawmaker's dominance was put to test in the last election following his son's slim victory over former governor Rene Relampagos. Jala got 65,081 votes over Relampagos' 62,106 votes.
Despite allegations of vote-padding and vote-shaving, the Jalas persevered keeping the congressional post within the family.
"The voters will be the ultimate judge. But as I see it now, I still have the warm support of my constituents in the 3rd district," he added.
"While forging such an agreement allows us to form alliances and ensure that the top leaders of Bohol remain a cohesive force, I don't think I can turn my back to my supporters who have been intact for more than 15 years," Jala pointed out.
GMA'S NOD?
Asked whether Pres. Arroyo would intercede to iron out hitches within the administration bloc especially the looming collision with Sec. Yap, former congressman Jala admitted there has been no official statement from the president on the matter.
In fact, Pres. Arroyo was very cautious to comment on Bohol political positioning during a recent meeting at the Palace with Gov. Erico Aumentado, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, Rep. Edgar Chatto, Rep. Roberto Cajes, and the Jalas.
"Even before we met with the president in Malacañang, I already informed the other Bohol leaders that in the event Pres. Arroyo would ask me to give way for Sec. Yap, I would readily turn down such proposal," Jala disclosed.
He said Aumentado, Herrera, Chatto and Cajes all agreed to respect his decision but each expressed their intention for party unity.
"I was honestly worried that the president would ask me to yield in favor of Yap, but I'm glad she did not," Jala said.
Arroyo went on to discuss about ongoing projects in the province and simply listened to the Bohol political situationer.
YAP'S VISIBILITY
The DA secretary is always visible in Bohol, especially in the towns of the 3rd district where he had been rumored to run since last year.
One of Pres. Arroyo's designated stewards in implementing the Comprehensive Livelihood Employment Program (CLEEP), Yap has at his disposal some P50-million in DA funds to help farmers.
In another interview, Yap had said his visits to Bohol "must not be injected with political color" as this is in line with his job to implement agri-related production program especially that he was assigned by the President to coordinate the projects in the province
Asked to comment about the use of agriculture funds and Yap's political positioning in the 3rd district, Jala said he is just thankful to the secretary for bringing projects to the district which is represented by his son.
One of the youngest to be appointed to the Arroyo cabinet, Yap, who is a lawyer by profession, held at least five positions in government since 2001.
He first entered government as president of the Philippine International Trading Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry. He later served as administrator of the National Food Authority for two years. Yap was also designated director general of the Presidential Management Staff.
Pres. Arroyo became the secretary's economics professor when he took management and economics in college.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Other suspects in slaying of British national still at large
By Kit Bagaipo
First posted by The Bohol Chronicle
"I am worth more dead than alive."
These were the words of slain British national Martin Williams to his lawyer days before he was murdered as he sensed somebody was out to try to kill him.
The lifeless body of Williams, 43 years old, was discovered stripped to his underwear beside Boloc-boloc Spring in barangay Mansasa, this city, with multiple stab wounds to the chest, abdomen, head and other parts of the body on the morning of March 24.
Two suspects have been arrested by the police and are being charged for the brutal crime - one Christian Gulle, 22, and a female teenage companion, 19-year old Irene Borja, both residents of barangay Mansasa.
Gulle confessed to investigators that he stabbed Williams several times after the Briton allegedly tried to rape and hurt his friend Borja on the night of March 23.
However, Williams' family and his counsel Atty. Alexander Lim said the British man could not have been killed by one person alone.
"We have reason to believe that the murder suspect did not do it on his own but had help from others," Lim said.
Williams had 14 stab wounds and several injuries on the head and different parts of the body.
"The way the stab wounds and injuries were positioned raises doubts on Gulle's confession," according to Lim.
The victim's counsel added that his own fact-finding of the murder revealed that there were several motor-riding men who were seen going near Boloc-boloc Spring on the night Williams was killed.
"It appears that there are still others who know of the crime and the police should go after them," Lim stressed.
The family of Williams told Lim of a few instances that the victim purportedly received threats to his life. In fact, sometime in January, an unidentified gunman tried to kill him while he was talking to customers at his bar in barangay Tawala, Panglao.
According to Lim, earlier this year the British man had authorized him to sell his P10-million house in Panglao as he was planning to fly back to the United Kingdom.
Williams had been separated from his Filipino wife and their only child since last year.
Lim said, forensic evidence should come out soon from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that was requested by the British Embassy to conduct its own full inquiry of the incident.
Initially, police operatives found an identification card of Gulle at the crime scene which led to the suspect's arrest.
According to the account of the suspect, he met Williams on the night of March 23 at Bojol Grill where they had drinks. The drinking session continued until around 10 p.m. at the spring, just about a hundred meters from the Bohol Mangrove KTV Bar and Lodging house where the Briton was checked in.
Gulle said he stood a few meters on the shore away from Williams and Borja when he heard the latter shout for help. The girl was reportedly on the ground lying in pain when he approached them as Williams started shouting at him.
He admitted stabbing Williams several times and helped the girl run away from the crime scene.
Williams was discovered beside Boloc-boloc Spring at around 6 a.m. the following day.
Police believed he was attacked in the spring and then dragged out to shore.
Williams operated his own luxury car business in the United Kingdom before coming to the Philippines to marry a local woman.
First posted by The Bohol Chronicle
"I am worth more dead than alive."
These were the words of slain British national Martin Williams to his lawyer days before he was murdered as he sensed somebody was out to try to kill him.
The lifeless body of Williams, 43 years old, was discovered stripped to his underwear beside Boloc-boloc Spring in barangay Mansasa, this city, with multiple stab wounds to the chest, abdomen, head and other parts of the body on the morning of March 24.
Two suspects have been arrested by the police and are being charged for the brutal crime - one Christian Gulle, 22, and a female teenage companion, 19-year old Irene Borja, both residents of barangay Mansasa.
Gulle confessed to investigators that he stabbed Williams several times after the Briton allegedly tried to rape and hurt his friend Borja on the night of March 23.
However, Williams' family and his counsel Atty. Alexander Lim said the British man could not have been killed by one person alone.
"We have reason to believe that the murder suspect did not do it on his own but had help from others," Lim said.
Williams had 14 stab wounds and several injuries on the head and different parts of the body.
"The way the stab wounds and injuries were positioned raises doubts on Gulle's confession," according to Lim.
The victim's counsel added that his own fact-finding of the murder revealed that there were several motor-riding men who were seen going near Boloc-boloc Spring on the night Williams was killed.
"It appears that there are still others who know of the crime and the police should go after them," Lim stressed.
The family of Williams told Lim of a few instances that the victim purportedly received threats to his life. In fact, sometime in January, an unidentified gunman tried to kill him while he was talking to customers at his bar in barangay Tawala, Panglao.
According to Lim, earlier this year the British man had authorized him to sell his P10-million house in Panglao as he was planning to fly back to the United Kingdom.
Williams had been separated from his Filipino wife and their only child since last year.
Lim said, forensic evidence should come out soon from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that was requested by the British Embassy to conduct its own full inquiry of the incident.
Initially, police operatives found an identification card of Gulle at the crime scene which led to the suspect's arrest.
According to the account of the suspect, he met Williams on the night of March 23 at Bojol Grill where they had drinks. The drinking session continued until around 10 p.m. at the spring, just about a hundred meters from the Bohol Mangrove KTV Bar and Lodging house where the Briton was checked in.
Gulle said he stood a few meters on the shore away from Williams and Borja when he heard the latter shout for help. The girl was reportedly on the ground lying in pain when he approached them as Williams started shouting at him.
He admitted stabbing Williams several times and helped the girl run away from the crime scene.
Williams was discovered beside Boloc-boloc Spring at around 6 a.m. the following day.
Police believed he was attacked in the spring and then dragged out to shore.
Williams operated his own luxury car business in the United Kingdom before coming to the Philippines to marry a local woman.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
First gentleman issues warning against swindlers
By Kit Bagaipo
Inquirer Visayas Bureau
TAGBILARAN CITY – First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo warned Bohol town mayors against falling prey to a swindler offering to facilitate the immediate release of funding assistance for a fee.
Arroyo issued the warning through his chief of staff, Juris Umali-Soliman, who communicated with Gov. Erico Aumentado and Mayors Telesforo Balagosa of Lila, Roberto Salinas of Catigbian, Simplicio Maestrado Jr. of Sierra-Bullones, Fanuel Cadelinia of Bilar, Gregoria Pepito of Batuan and Dan Lim of Tagbilaran City.
He said a certain Jericho Gamulo had tried to convince some mayors that he could facilitate the speedy release of their special allotment release order for a fee.
Gamulo allegedly claimed to be a close aide of the First Gentleman.
Arroyo denied having known Gamulo and maintained that he “never authorized anyone to represent him in any government or nongovernment transactions.”
Soliman furnished the National Bureau of Investigation Director Nestor Mantaring and Assistant Director Pedro Bulaong with copies of the communication.
“The First Gentleman reiterates his strong statement in 2001 that he does not meddle in governance nor does he authorize any person to make any transaction in his behalf,” Soliman said.
She said Arroyo had “repeatedly requested the heads of various government agencies, as well as government-owned and -controlled corporations to arrest people who use his name in any dealings or transactions.”
Inquirer Visayas Bureau
TAGBILARAN CITY – First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo warned Bohol town mayors against falling prey to a swindler offering to facilitate the immediate release of funding assistance for a fee.
Arroyo issued the warning through his chief of staff, Juris Umali-Soliman, who communicated with Gov. Erico Aumentado and Mayors Telesforo Balagosa of Lila, Roberto Salinas of Catigbian, Simplicio Maestrado Jr. of Sierra-Bullones, Fanuel Cadelinia of Bilar, Gregoria Pepito of Batuan and Dan Lim of Tagbilaran City.
He said a certain Jericho Gamulo had tried to convince some mayors that he could facilitate the speedy release of their special allotment release order for a fee.
Gamulo allegedly claimed to be a close aide of the First Gentleman.
Arroyo denied having known Gamulo and maintained that he “never authorized anyone to represent him in any government or nongovernment transactions.”
Soliman furnished the National Bureau of Investigation Director Nestor Mantaring and Assistant Director Pedro Bulaong with copies of the communication.
“The First Gentleman reiterates his strong statement in 2001 that he does not meddle in governance nor does he authorize any person to make any transaction in his behalf,” Soliman said.
She said Arroyo had “repeatedly requested the heads of various government agencies, as well as government-owned and -controlled corporations to arrest people who use his name in any dealings or transactions.”
Visayas gets brief power rate hike breather
By Kit Bagaipo & Carla Gomez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Regulatory Commission (ERC) reduced on Wednesday a temporary power rate increase it granted to the National Power Corp. (Napocor) for the Visayas grid from P1.1 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 83 centavos, a drop of about 30 centavos.
ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino Juan said the commission issued the new rate order after it received testimony on the rate hike at hearings conducted in Cebu City Thursday and Friday last week.
However, Juan said the ERC would still hold a hearing in Cebu City on April 21 on the petition of Napocor and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) for an increase of P1.38 per kWh in the basic generation charge in the Visayas, or an increase of nearly 50 percent from existing rates.
Last week, the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City governments filed their formal opposition to the rate increase at the ERC hearings.
Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco said on Wednesday that the provincial government would support Joemax Ortiz, a lawyer crusading against the rate increase, in filing a petition at the Court of Appeals (CA) to prevent the implementation of the provisional power rate while the hearings on the Napocor petition are being held.
“I will draft the petition to be filed by the provincial government before the CA and sign as collaborating counsel,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz and Romeo Lavilla, a former councilor of Silay City, represented the Negros Occidental provincial government at the ERC hearing in Cebu last week.
They have also started a signature campaign against the power rate hike in the Central Negros Electric Cooperative coverage area. “We hope to gather from 5,000 to 10,000 signatures,” Ortiz said.
The Bohol provincial government and the Bohol Electric Cooperative (Boheco) also expressed opposition to the proposed power rate hike.
In a resolution adopted on Tuesday, the provincial board called the power rate hike “untimely” because consumers are already suffering from the global recession.
The board also noted in its resolution that the increase comes at a time when fuel prices are dropping.
In a statement, the Boheco also questioned the power rate increase, saying the basis for the increase was “questionable.”
Boheco said the Napocor claimed to be in financial distress but had a P136.07-billion income in 2007.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Regulatory Commission (ERC) reduced on Wednesday a temporary power rate increase it granted to the National Power Corp. (Napocor) for the Visayas grid from P1.1 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 83 centavos, a drop of about 30 centavos.
ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino Juan said the commission issued the new rate order after it received testimony on the rate hike at hearings conducted in Cebu City Thursday and Friday last week.
However, Juan said the ERC would still hold a hearing in Cebu City on April 21 on the petition of Napocor and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) for an increase of P1.38 per kWh in the basic generation charge in the Visayas, or an increase of nearly 50 percent from existing rates.
Last week, the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City governments filed their formal opposition to the rate increase at the ERC hearings.
Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco said on Wednesday that the provincial government would support Joemax Ortiz, a lawyer crusading against the rate increase, in filing a petition at the Court of Appeals (CA) to prevent the implementation of the provisional power rate while the hearings on the Napocor petition are being held.
“I will draft the petition to be filed by the provincial government before the CA and sign as collaborating counsel,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz and Romeo Lavilla, a former councilor of Silay City, represented the Negros Occidental provincial government at the ERC hearing in Cebu last week.
They have also started a signature campaign against the power rate hike in the Central Negros Electric Cooperative coverage area. “We hope to gather from 5,000 to 10,000 signatures,” Ortiz said.
The Bohol provincial government and the Bohol Electric Cooperative (Boheco) also expressed opposition to the proposed power rate hike.
In a resolution adopted on Tuesday, the provincial board called the power rate hike “untimely” because consumers are already suffering from the global recession.
The board also noted in its resolution that the increase comes at a time when fuel prices are dropping.
In a statement, the Boheco also questioned the power rate increase, saying the basis for the increase was “questionable.”
Boheco said the Napocor claimed to be in financial distress but had a P136.07-billion income in 2007.
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