Bodies found in freezer in San Pablo City

Source: Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines—Two women factory workers missing in San Pablo City have been found dead and stuffed in a chest freezer in the company warehouse, police said Wednesday.

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Quiapo cited in list of world’s most ‘notorious markets’

Source: PDI

MANILA, Philippines—Here’s another dubious feather in Quiapo’s cap.

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Arroyo son, wife face tax evasion raps, says BIR

Source: INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The lawmaker son of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and his wife are facing tax evasion charges, Bureau of Internal Revenue chief Kim Henares said Thursday in a press conference at the Department of Justice.

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6 of ‘Morong 43’ file rights suit vs Arroyo, 10 others

Source: PDI

MANILA, Philippines—Six members of the so-called "Morong 43" on Monday morning filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court a P15-million damage suit against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 10 others for alleged human rights violations they suffered during their detention last year.

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6 of ‘Morong 43’ file rights suit vs Arroyo, 10 others

Source: PDI

MANILA, Philippines—Six members of the so-called "Morong 43" on Monday morning filed at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court a P15-million damage suit against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 10 others for alleged human rights violations they suffered during their detention last year.

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Agusan hostages hungry, victim’s text message says

Source: PDI

LA PURISIMA, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur—(UPDATE) The hostages are hungry.

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3 Filipino drug mules executed in China

Source: INQUIRER.ne

MANILA, Philippines—Three Filipino drug mules were executed in China this Wednesday, according to Vice President Jejomar Binay in a live television interview.

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Libya: live report

Source:AFP

€1516 GMT This just in from AFP's Elodie Le Mahou, reporting from the Tunisia-Libya border...

"Swarms of Bangladeshis have gathered near the Choucha refugee camp, carrying packages on their heads. The reason: a rumour that mass repatriations are to take place."

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Money, Islam conversion free kidnapped nurse

Source: ANN

It took an undetermined amount of money and a conversion to Islam for kidnappers to release a 21-year-old Filipino nurse snatched two months ago, authorities and the victim said.

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Filipina, Norwegian held for murder of 6-year-old girl

Source: PDI

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A Filipina and a Norwegian were arrested for the murder of a six-year-old girl

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Carjack preventive tips

How to reduce risk of being victimized by car thieves

Source: PDI

MANILA, Philippines—Carjackings occur mostly at night and the early hours, and men or women, young or old can get victimized.

In a public advisory posted on its website, the Philippine National Police says the key to avoiding being victimized is to reduce the risk before getting into your car, while on the road, and getting out of your car.

“Though carjackings can occur any time, a sizable [number] appears to take place during the late night hours or early morning. Carjacking isn’t just a problem in large cities; it happens inside villages and rural areas or far-flung municipalities. Carjackers look for opportunity. They don’t choose victims by sex, race or age,” the PNP says.

Carjackers study their victims carefully before going after a vehicle. They examine the layout of the area, paying attention to stoplights and intersections to facilitate escape.

They also look for garages, parking lots for mass transit, shopping malls, groceries, gas stations, car washes, banks with ATM machines, or anywhere people get in and out of cars, slow down, or stop their vehicles.

Stay alert

The PNP recommends staying alert when walking toward your vehicle: “Approach your car with the key in hand. Look around and inside the car before getting in. Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out fliers. Trust your instincts. If something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors and drive away.”

While on the road, it’s important to keep the doors locked and windows rolled up even if it’s just a short trip.

“When you are coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away. Drive in the center lane to make it harder for would-be carjackers to approach the car. Avoid driving alone. Go with someone whenever possible, especially at night. Don’t stop to assist a stranger whose car has broken down. Help instead by driving to the nearest phone and calling police to help,” the PNP says.

When you reach your destination, choose a parking space in a well-lighted area near sidewalks.

“Avoid parking near dumps, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility. Never leave valuables in plain view, even if the car is locked,” the PNP says.

“Put them in the trunk or out of sight. Try to park in a garage with an attendant. Even if you’re in a rush, look around before you get out and stay alert to the surroundings,” it says.

Sophisticated alarms and locking devices can also make cars hard to steal when parked.

Give it up

If confronted with a carjacker, the PNP says, “give up your car. Don’t argue. Your life is worth more than a car.”

Pay attention to the appearance of the carjacker and report the crime immediately to police.

What to do if victimized through the “bundol” method, or when carjackers bump your vehicle and take it at gunpoint once you get out to check the damage?

The PNP recommends jotting down the other car’s license plates and to signal it to follow you to the nearest police or busy, well lighted place to negotiate the damages.

“If you do get out of the car, take your key [and purse or wallet if you have one] with you and stay alert,” it says.

The PNP also says carjackers look for vulnerable prey. In some cases, for criminal syndicates, it’s a step to another bigger more serious crime.

Some carjackers are also young people out for a thrill or a rite of passage to a group.

Luxury cars are easy money for drug users and other criminals. The easy availability of guns also contributes to the proliferation of carjacking incidents.

“A pointed gun makes for a powerful threat,” the PNP says.

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Death penalty in Philippines??

Debate on death penalty to be revived in Senate

SOURCE: PDI

Proposals to resurrect the death penalty law have resurfaced in the Senate following the spate of crimes that rocked Metro Manila in the new year.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has filed Senate Bill No. 2383 seeking the re-imposition of the capital punishment on murderers and drug traffickers.

But some of his colleagues promptly shot down the idea, saying the death penalty would not be the solution.

Senator Francis Pangilinan suggested that a “crime czar” be appointed, “someone who is resolute and results-driven.”

In SB No. 2383, Zubiri argued the removal of the death penalty law in 2006 was “greeted with jubilation by criminal syndicates and hardened criminals.”

“Recent events would prove the fear of the silent majority of our society to be true, that is, the repeal of the death penalty sets us back on our peace and order efforts,” he said in the bill’s explanatory note.

Zubiri said the absence of death penalty also “emboldens criminals to wantonly disregard the rule of law and the dignity of human life.”

Authorities are still investigating the gruesome murder of two car dealers and an employee in separate incidents last week.

The bodies of Emerson Lozano, his driver Ernane Sensil, and fellow car dealer Venson Evangelista were charred and bore gunshot wounds. The 30-year-old Evangelista’s remains were also mutilated.

Pangilinan said the incidents “give a foreboding sense of lawlessness.” But he still did not support calls to revive the death penalty law.

“It is the certainty, not the severity, of punishment that brings fear in the hearts of would-be criminals,” he said.

“No matter how severe the penalty imposed, if convictions are few and far between, or cases drag on for years on end without punishment, then criminality will remain rampant.”

Pangilinan added: “It is the swiftness of punishment regardless of the penalty involved that will ensure respect for our laws and instill fear in the hearts of would-be criminals in our criminal justice system.”

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano agreed that the death penalty would not necessarily deter crimes.

“Even if you impose the death penalty on criminals but you cannot get them, the law would not be a deterrent,” he said in Filipino.

“So what deters crime? It’s the certainty that [criminals] would be arrested.”

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Aquino against re-imposing death penalty

SOURCE: Norman Bordadora

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) President Benigno Aquino has said he would look into calls for the re-imposition of the death penalty but at the same time indicated that he’s against the implementation anew of capital punishment.

Aquino was asked the question amid renewed calls for the death penalty after a series of car-theft-related murders.

“I will have to study that, and I don’t know where the calls are emanating from but the essence here is that our judicial system, as you know, is not perfect,” Aquino said in a chance interview after addressing the Liberal Party’s 65th anniversary ceremonies.

Aquino indicated that he was once an advocate of the death penalty. He said he even had discussions on the death penalty with his mother, the late democracy icon and former President Corazon Aquino.

“At the end of the day, I used to support death penalty,” he said.

“But I really witnessed a justice that was not perfect, so I have to change my position...Since we cannot turn back the clock, if we execute somebody, then we shouldn’t, in the off chance that we might render that penalty to somebody who was not guilty,” he added.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, an author of a bill calling for the re-imposition of the death penalty, has again sought support for the capital punishment in the wake of car thefts that ended in the abduction and killing of car dealers.

Lawyer Oliver Lozano, the father of one of the victims of the recent killings and car thefts, also asked for the return of the death penalty.

But Aquino called for caution. “There is a possibility that people can be wrongly convicted especially if they do not have the ability to secure competent counsels. If in a perfect world, we have an efficient judicial system, then perhaps there is a room for that.”

“But when… because of your economic status you cannot get the right lawyers to help you out, then there is a possibility that you will be wrongly convicted. Then, if we are going to pass the death penalty, how do you turn back the clock if the accused is executed?” he added.

Aquino also vouched for the integrity of the Philippine National Police amid criticisms brought by the recent heinous crimes.

“Can I just add? There are so many criticisms against the PNP. But look at how many (cases) that they have been solving? And it will just take maybe a few minutes to Google search what their achievements have been,” Aquino hastened to add, before ending his interview with reporters.

The President felt optimistic that the investigation of recent crimes would be resolved soon.

“When we heard the news, we called the regional director of the PNP office in Central Luzon and I asked him to prioritize it. I’m expecting developments on it,” Aquino said.

“But my problem is I really couldn’t reveal any of the details. But I’m optimistic on the solution of all of these cases. Not only that of the son of Attorney Lozano but also other cases,” he added.

Aquino said the NCRPO “for instance, reported so many accomplishments yesterday.”

He indicated that a quick resolution of a case such as the one involving a robbery in Taguig “is more typical of the performance of the PNP.”

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U.S. says iPad users' data stolen, sets criminal charges

SOURCE: REUTERS

U.S. investigators plan to announce criminal charges concerning the alleged theft of email addresses and other personal information belonging to about 120,000 users of Apple Inc's iPad tablet computer.

Prosecutors said the charges arise from an alleged hacking of AT&T Inc's servers, which affected iPad users who accessed the Internet through AT&T's 3G network.

Paul Fishman, the U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, and the FBI plan to hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss the charges.

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