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The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) has issued subpoenas to over 20 individuals to provide crucial statements regarding the death of two Ateneo student-athletes, Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, in Aurora.
“We have issued subpoenas to several individuals, including yung mga players na kasama doon,” ayon kay CIDG Director PMGen. Robert Alexander Morico II
[“We have issued subpoenas to several individuals, including the players who were present there.”]
The PNP has sent subpoenas to the head coach of Ateneo de Manila University, Tab Baldwin, other coaches and players, the driver of the bus used by the delegation, the local government unit, and the resort owner where the drowning incident occurred.
According to Morico, the CIDG also plans to invite former Ateneo players to serve as resource persons on what they call ‘team building’.
“We will see kung if it's a team-building activity really, because there are also allegations coming from past athletes na kinakatakutan nila ang pagpunta sa Aurora,” he said
[“We will see if it's a team-building activity really, because there are also allegations coming from past athletes that they’re dreading going to Aurora.”]
The CIDG also asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to place several individuals under Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order.
“Ateneo is Ateneo. May mga pera po yung mga ano diyan. They have the capability to travel abroad,” Morico said
[“Ateneo is Ateneo. People there have financial means. They have the capability to travel abroad.”]
The subpoenaed individuals have been given until Monday, June 15, to personally present themselves at the CIDG.
With reports from Lea Ylagan
The House prosecution panel names ten (10) private prosecutors who will reinforce its legal team.
Lead Public Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro emphasized that the involvement of private prosecutors is crucial since they have expertise in litigation.
“Kailangan po namin ang tulong ng mga private prosecutors because they are the people specialized in litigation,” she said
[“We need the assistance of private prosecutors because they are the people specialized in litigation.”]
The ten private prosecutors come from three separate law firms — PECABAR Law, Kapunan and Castillo Law, and the SALiGAL (Sapayan Lim Alvarez & Ligutan) Law.
The roster of private lawyers includes:
PECABAR Law
Kapunan and Castillo Law
SALiGAL (Sapayan Lim Alvarez & Ligutan) Law
Atty. Marforth Fua, from PECABAR Law, is the former assistant presidential legal counsel under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He clarified that the President is not involved in his decision to join the prosecution team.
“It is the House who enlisted our support, not the President or not anyone in the first family,” he said
He further emphasized that their participation is just a professional matter.
“This is just any other regular case handled by the firm. It's nothing special. So it is just a purely professional engagement,” he added
House prosecutors confirmed that all private lawyers are rendering their services pro bono or free of charge.
Meanwhile, Luistro expressed faith and confidence in whoever stands as a Presiding officer in the Senate impeachment court.
“This is not a question of who is the presiding officer? Who are the senator-judges? Who are the public and the private prosecutors? No. By impeachment trial, we're trying to exact accountability to the public officials whether it is acting SP Win Gatchalian or Senator Chiz Escudero who will be presiding the impeachment trial. In behalf of the prosecutors we are expressing our faith and confidence to this accountability mechanism.” she said
With reports from Rosalie Coz
TABUK CITY, KALINGA — The Anti-firing Ordinance has approved on third reading, which will ban gunfiring during burials in Tabuk City. Although this was considered custom during burials, the local government expressed concerns over community safety.
Tabuk City Councilor Jayferson Bon-as, author of the Anti-firing Ordinance, expressed concern about this matter because even the children learn to handle and fire gunshots at the event.
“So nakasanayan kasi dito sa amin sa Tabuk City na kapag may namatay bata man o matanda, nagpapaputok sila. So nakakabahala na since pano kapag may nadisgrasya, may matamaan,” he said
[“It has become a custom here in Tabuk City that when someone passes away, whether young or old, they fire guns. It is alarming because what will happen if an accident occurs or someone gets hit?”]
“Mabuti pa nga ang Uniformed Personnel, 21 guns salute lang pero itong mga kababayan natin, hindi mo bilang kung ilang putok,” he added
[“The Uniformed Personnel are limited to 21 gun salutes, but our fellow citizens, you cannot even count how many shots are fired.”]
Under the Anti-firing Ordinance during burials in the City of Tabuk, gunshots during burial are strictly prohibited, regardless of whether the weapon is licensed or not. Violators may face immediate confiscation of the firearm used and potential charges.
“Kaya aantayin pa ba natin na may madisgrasya pa? So, nag-propose tayo ng ordinance na ipagbawal ‘yong pagpapaputok ng baril during burial ceremonies,” he said
[“Are we going to wait for a tragedy to happen? That is why we proposed this ordinance to ban gunshots during burial ceremonies.”]
The measure exempts official military honors, traditional gun salutes for uniformed personnel, and war veterans, as long as they are coordinated with respective authorities and comply with safety protocols.
The ordinance now only awaits the signature of Tabuk City Mayor Darwin Estrañero for the official enactment and city-wide implementation of the law.
With reports from Grace Doctolero
The Philippine Embassy warns Filipinos in Cambodia regarding the enforcement of the law against online scams. Authorities reported that the Cambodian police continue to raid areas where cybercrimes take place.
“Patuloy ang pagsalakay ng kapulisan ng Cambodia sa mga pook kung saan nagaganap ang krimen ng online scam,” the PH Embassy in Cambodia confirmed
Recently, 47 Filipinos were arrested in separate operations and detained in the provinces of Cambodia — 24 in Sihanouk, while 23 are in Battambang; they are under prosecution and will face criminal charges.
“Ayon sa CCOS, itong 47 na Pilipino ay naaresto sa isang “raid” at ngayon ay dumadaan sa pag-uusig na may napipintong kasong kriminal,” the Embassy reported
Hence, the Embassy advises all Filipinos who are still inside the scam compounds to voluntarily leave or approach authorities to seek assistance and be rescued from their situation.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reports the safe repatriation of twenty-two Filipino victims of human trafficking in Cambodia.
As an act of compassion and care for the repatriates, they were provided with medical assistance upon their arrival.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) also assisted by providing them with transportation and temporary accommodations. The DMW and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking are also ready to assist by providing legal assistance and welfare support to help them start over.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia warns Filipinos regarding the enforcement of a new law against online scams. Currently, there are 47 Filipinos caught in separate operations who are now detained in separate jails in Cambodia and will face criminal charges.
The Embassy called on Filipinos who are still inside the scam compound to surrender and seek help from the authorities to be rescued from their situation.
