24 ‘trafficked’ women in Boracay ‘willing victims’

The 24 women who were alleged victims of human trafficking here refused to file any complaint in court, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Aklan.
They may be considered “willing victims,” PSWDO head Evangeline Gallega said in light of the office’s investigation.
The women, who came from different provinces across the Philippines, were purportedly being forced into commercial sex.
Authorities rescued them from Video King Bar in Sitio Tulubhan, Barangay Manoc-manoc here, on March 5 after an entrapment operation against bar workers Nestor Fabiano Jr., 32, of Mabolo Drive, Naga City, and Boyet Fajarito Jr., 29, of Gabawan, Odiongan, Romblon.
Fabiano and Fajarito were facing charges for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
“The victims denied they were engaged in prostitution,” said Gallega. Still, “we coordinated with their respective provinces and asked them to go home.”
Fabiano and Fajarito were arrested after receiving P4,000 cash from an undercover agent who “hired” three of the women for sex.
All 24 women were temporarily billeted at the Comprehensive Center for Women in Kalibo, capital town of Aklan. Social workers interviewed them one by one.
Gallega admitted they can only do so much for these women. “We actually expect them to return to Boracay and return to their job,” she said.

Boracay workers warned vs ‘partisan resorts’

 Workers in this island resort who were being forced by their employers to vote for a certain candidate must report to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec issued this advisory in light of reports that some resorts here required long-term employees to change their residency status.
“Requiring employees to acquire local residency (in Malay, Aklan) is not illegal [under the] Omnibus Election [Code],” said the provincial election officer, Roberto Salazar.
What is illegal is when “the management forces employees to vote for [a certain person] running for [public] office,” he said.
This reporter asked representatives from several resorts and hotels here about the issue, but they refused to comment.
Salazar urged employees undergoing such pressure from their employers to report to Comelec or the Department of Labor and Employment.
“For years, Comelec has been lax in monitoring election-related activities in Boracay,” said Salazar. “This year, our office will be strictly implementing all existing election-related policies.”
Around 33,813 voters in Malay, including Boracay, had their biometrics data taken as of Oct. 31, 2015, figures from the local Comelec office showed. More than half of the voters were from the island resort.
In 2013, registered voters without biometrics data in the town numbered 27,268./

Belgian arrested in Aklan for hoarding guns

A 61-year-old Belgian has been arrested by combined operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for hoarding guns in Tangalan town, Aklan province.

Police Officer 3 Sheryl Teodosio identified the Belgian as Michel Wuestenbergs, who was nabbed in his own house in Pudiot village last March 16, 2016.

While Wuestenbergs is known to be an amiable man in the village, the Tangalan PNP received numerous complaints of alleged indiscriminate firing inside his house.

Combined operatives of the Tangalan PNP, the Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG), Highway Patrol Group (HPG) found numerous guns and ammunitions when they came around to arrest Wuestenbergs.

Recovered from the Belgian national’s possession were seven live ammunition of caliber .45; 23  pieces of empty shells of 12-gauge shotgun; one piece 50 rounder bullet box; 37 empty shells of caliber .45; 29 pieces of empty shells of caliber .22 and three empty shells of caliber .38.

Wuestenbergs also surrendered his .45 caliber Armscor and another 12-gauge shotgun.

He told investigators that collecting guns and ammunitions was his hobby.

Manila Bulletin tried to interview Wuestenbergs at the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in the capital town of Kalibo, but the Belgian refused to comment.

Wuestenbergs is facing charges for violating Republic Act. No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

MTRCB reminds parents: Pacquiao's April fight is Rated PG

The Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has reminded parents that Manny Pacquiao's fight on April 9 is Rated PG (Parental Guidance).
MTRCB Eugenio Villareal said they have been receiving reports that children are being allowed by their parents or adults to watch fights of Pacquiao.
Villareal made the statement in Kalibo, Aklan where he and the MTRCB's Board of Directors signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government.
The agreement is part of the MTRCB's campaign to educate responsible TV and movie viewing.
Villareal told reporters that boxing and other contact sport should be watched by children under the close guidance of their parents or adults.
He added that children should be provided by their parents with positive perspective on the sport.
Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley Jr. for the third time on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The two boxers' first match was held June 9, 2012, where Bradley won a controversial split decision.
Pacquiao achieved vindication when he faced Bradley for the second time in April 2014. He was by unanimous decision.

El Niño to hit Boracay in April, May – Pagasa

Aklan may experience El Niño in April and May, according to a Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) official.
It will experience the phenomenon late due to its “unique weather pattern,” said Engr. Oscar Tabada, officer-in-charge of Pagasa Visayas in Cebu City.
“Other provinces in Luzon and Mindanao have been [feeling] El Niño since January this year,” Tabada said.
The nearby provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental have been bearing the brunt of the dry spell brought by El Niño, albeit gradually, since late last year.
Pagasa Visayas said El Niño’s delayed impact on Aklan may be attributed to the National Greening Program, the government’s nationwide massive forest rehabilitation initiative that started in 2011.
“While we cannot be certain about El Niño’s effect on Aklan’s on agriculture,” said Tabada, “we anticipate that this will have an effect on tourists in Boracay.”
Tourists, especially those who want to enjoy island-hopping activities in the island resort, were advised to drink plenty of water and wear comfortable clothing. They were also warned against possible heat stroke.

Fleeing German jumps off Boracay cliff, dies

A 66-year-old German accidentally died after trying to escape from immigration officers and police authorities at world famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

Police officials identified the victim as Dr. Rodulf Wilhelm Stolz.

Based on police investigation, Bureau of Immigration Officer Rodrigo Oamil and police officers officials went to Stolz’s residence in Manoc-Manoc village last March 3. The team was supposed to serve the deportation order against Stoltz.

However, Stolz fired a gun a shot to Oamil. The German then ran while the police chased him. Trying to elude the cops, Stolz then jumped off a cliff. Stolz’s body was later found near slippery rocks.

According to Bureau of Immigration, Stolz was considered an undesirable alien after several complaints were lodged against him.

Meanwhile, Oamil is recuperating from his gunshot wound.

Bishop revives call vs casino

Once again, the Diocese of Kalibo has expressed opposition to the operation of any type of casino in this island resort.
Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc revived the diocese’s call after receiving a text message that said the municipal government of Malay has approved the operation of a casino at Crown Regency Hotel here.
The “junket” casino will reportedly cater to only foreign businesspeople and tourists.
“I call on everyone, especially the leaders of the provincial government, to intervene,” said Tala-oc.
Boracay is under the jurisdiction of the local government unit of Malay.
The municipal hall is mum on the alleged approval of the casino operation. Crown Regency Hotel cannot be reached for comment as of this writing.
At least two more hotels in the island have pending applications for casino operation before the municipal government.
The Diocese of Kalibo has been against plans to put up casinos in this island resort since the early ’90s.