crime news – Page 34 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Luxury cars, villas, tunnels and more found inside raided POGO in Tarlac

April 1, 2024March 19, 2024carlocarrasco

As I was browsing news of national interest, I came upon a news report by GMA Network related to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in the municipality of Bamban, Tarlac province that was already raided by local authorities. Beyond the raid, the authorities uncovered luxury cars, villas and even tunnels inside the facility.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

A swimming pool, several tunnels and luxury cars were among the discoveries inside a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub that was allegedly used for illegal activities by scammers in Bamban, Tarlac.

In an exclusive report from Saleema Refran on 24 Oras, the 10-hectare Zun Yuan Technology complex that was raided by a joint team of Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had more than just offices and dormitories.

There were also villas that were reportedly reserved for high ranking officials and VIPs as well as an (Olympic)-sized swimming pool.

Aside from allegations of scams, human trafficking and illegal detention, the compound was also hiding other secrets.

There is a network of tunnels underneath the villas. Authorities said the tunnels led outside the compound.

PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said the underground passageways might have been used by other suspects to make good their escape.

“Posible kasi na yung mga nakatakas ay dumaan po sa underground tunnels. Mayroon kasing open na mga gates doon sa ibang tunnels pwedeng doon sila nagtakasan.

(It’s possible those who escaped underground. There were open gates in some of the tunnels.)

Inside the villas were expensive furniture and appliances. There were also safety vaults in several rooms. Outside were parked several SUVs and luxury cars.

The massive compound is located beside the Bamban Municipal Hall.

Casio said Bamban town officials should have been more vigilant when it allowed the establishment of the amusement and gaming hub in 2020.

“Lahat po ng POGO, lahat ng (internet gaming license) operators kinakailangan po magkaroon niyan ng Letter of No Objection galing sa city council. Dapat bago nag release ng LONO yung munisipyo dinouble, di lang double, triple o quadruple check kasi nga nakita natin yung mga ebidensya ng scamming dito sa loob,” he said.

The Department of Justice is also investigating the case.

Prior to the March raid, the compound was also raided last February this year due to allegations of a cryptocurrency scam when it was licensed under the Hongsheng Gaming technology.

Posted below is the related news video of GMA.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think that the remaining POGOs here in the Philippines could be engaging in illegal activities and added to criminal activities in local communities near their facilities?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Transwoman arrested by police officers for extorting money from student lover

March 26, 2024March 17, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Manila, local police officers arrested transwoman (note: Transgendered woman who is actually male but identifies as female) for extorting money from a student lover, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news article. Some parts in boldface…

A transwoman was arrested by operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) for allegedly extorting money from his lover in Ermita, Manila on Thursday, March 14.

MPD identified the suspect as Justine, 25, a resident of Makati City.

The suspect was arrested in an entrapment operation after his 24-year-old victim, a student, reported him to the police.

Prior to the suspect’s arrest, the victim said he met the suspect on an online dating application.

He said that after a while, they became online sweethearts before they decided to meet in person in Makati City.

The victim said that during their meet-up, he and the suspect had a sexual encounter, but he did not know that the suspect was filming it.

He said that the suspect suddenly demanded P10,000 from him, threatening that he would use the sensitive video as a content on his social media account if he would not give him the money.

The threat prompted the victim to report the suspect who was nabbed in an entrapment operation inside a convenience store on United Nations Avenue in Ermita.

In a media interview, the victim said that he only found out late that the suspect was a transwoman.

Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were an iPhone and the P10,000 marked money.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Are you concerned that someone in your family could be engaging with strangers through online dating applications? Did someone from your local community became a victim of a transgendered crook? Do you think that a lot of extortionists, LGBTQ people and scammers are taking advantage of users on online dating applications?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Pawnshop messenger killed by gunman in Parañaque City

March 25, 2024March 22, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Parañaque, a pawnshop messenger was shot dead by an unidentified gunman who remains on the loose and the local police are tackling the possibility that the victim was targeted due to his alleged past as an asset of the police, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Probers at the Parañaque City police are looking into the possibility that the killing on Thursday, March 21, of a pawnshop messenger was allegedly due his being a former police asset.

The Southern Police District (SPD) said the victim, identified as alias Juan, 45, of Camp Bagong Diwa, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City and a messenger at Champion Pawnshop located along Lopez Avenue, Barangay San Isidro, Parañaque City, was shot dead at around 7:40 a.m.

According to the report of the Parañaque city police, the victim was reportedly opening the sliding accordion metal door of the establishment when he was approached by a male person wearing a black hoody jacket, blue pants, red t-shirt, and white rubber shoes and was shot several times in the body.

The Parañaque City police said that based on the CCTV footage in the area, the suspect arrived with a male companion on board a motorcycle and parked their vehicle at the tricycle terminal.

The police said the gunman alighted from the motorcycle and walked casually to the establishment where alias Jun was working.

A few minutes later, a burst of gunfire was heard and the gunman was seen running going to the direction of his companion.

The police added that the motive of the killing could have been revenge because of his allegedly being a former police asset.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that criminals could be hunting for locals whom they perceive to be assets of the police force?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Justice for APA achieved as son Nelson Antonio found guilty

March 22, 2024September 26, 2024carlocarrasco

On the morning of March 21, 2024 at Branch 274 of the Parañaque Regional Trial Court (RTC), suspect Nelson Antonio was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the September 11, 2013 killing of his father Antonio P. Antonio (also referred to as Tonton and APA) and was sentenced to reclusion perpetua.

As expected, the verdict rendered by the honorable Judge Regina Paz Ramos Chavez drew reactions of happiness and relief from the surviving members of the Antonio family who worked hard to achieve justice for the late APA. In a statement to the journalists who were present, the prosecutor Atty. Carlo Ybañez said that the verdict of guilty beyond reasonable doubt on Nelson Antonio was inevitable as it was clear that their side had many witnesses of the murder that happened in the Antono residence along Concha Cruz Drive, and there was also the fact that the suspect fled and hid overseas to elude justice (note: the charge of parricide was filed in late 2013) for years.

*The promulgation happened in Branch 274 of the Parañaque RTC.*

*Xialen Antonio (daughter of the late Antonio P. Antonio) spoke to the media after the judgment was rendered. With her are the lawyers and her brother Vladimir (2nd from right).*

Atty. Ybañez said they are anticipating the next move of the defense which could possibly be an appeal.

“We thank the entire community, the police and the lawyers who helped us for more than ten years in our pursuit for justice. We also thank the public officials who assisted us,” Xialen Antonio stated.

Xialen also reminded the journalists that a certain TV program aired the case of APA which caused an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the Middle East to recognize Nelson (already in Dubai, United Arab Emirates) and contacted the Philippine police attache to the UAE which led to the suspect’s arrest and return to the Philippines. For a detailed look at what happened, click here.

*A group picture of the Antonio family with the lawyers and others supporters who helped with the pursuit of justice for the late APA that last many years.*

For the newcomers reading this, Antonio P. Antonio was a prominent business tycoon and he was one of the most distinguished residents of BF Homes subdivision. APA served as director and president of the old federation United BF Homeowners Association, Inc. (UBFHAI). His sudden departure at age 63 resulted in chaos and uncertainty for the Antonio family. To know more about APA through the 10^th death anniversary remembrance I attended, click here. I also have a 2020 feature article of the late Antonio P. Antonio which you can read by clicking here.

*The late Antonio P. Antonio (1950-2013).*

As of this writing, the news of the verdict is spreading. Justice for APA posted an official update and public statement that viewers can read by clicking here. Already the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) published an online report, so click here.

For more updates, follow Justice for APA at https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforAPA

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The potential danger behind the promotion of the Philippines as an LGBTQIA+ tourist destination

March 12, 2024March 12, 2024carlocarrasco

As many of you my readers should know by now, I blogged a lot about tourism in the Philippines, what the Department of Tourism (DOT) has been doing and what the nation has achieved with regards to attracting foreign tourists.

While DOT has been working very hard to make the nation a more competitive tourism destination in Asia in accordance to the master plan, I am concerned about the department’s involvement with promoting the Philippines as an LGBTQIA+ destination. In fact, I can say it is a big turn-off as it can lead to new incidents and criminal activities that will affect local societies which the stakeholders cannot anticipate.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article of September 28, 2023. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine government on Thursday vowed to promote inclusive travel in its bid to position the country as an LGBTQI+-friendly destination in the region.

During the first Tourism Pride Summit in Makati City, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the Philippines plans to implement programs and initiate government interventions to address the unique challenges that the community faces when traveling.

The summit, she said, is one intervention to spark conversation and give members of the LGBTQIA+ a platform where they can share experiences and suggestions on how the government can make travel enjoyable and safe for them.

“Under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he seeks a tourism industry that is inclusive, where no destination and no stakeholder is left behind in the development of our country,” Frasco said.

“That is why in our effort to reach our hand of collaboration to the farthest reaches of our country, we reach out our hand of collaboration as well to the many sectors that are involved in tourism, especially and including the LGBTQIA+ community,” she added.

Frasco noted that LGBTQIA+ tourism presents vast opportunities for growing the Philippine tourism industry portfolio.

Citing data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Frasco said there are an estimated 36 million LGBTQIA+ travelers around the world.

“We recognize the strength of capitalizing on LGBTQIA+ tourism considering that it is a USD200 billion industry that’s only slated to grow at half a trillion dollar industry by 2030,” she said.

Obviously the DOT is determined to attract as many LGBTQIA+ foreign tourists as possible as well as their money so that it could help them reach their financial goals and add to the momentum to make the Philippines a major tourist destination by the year 2028.

If ever a huge influx of foreign tourists who identify themselves as homosexuals/transgender/bisexual/transsexual/intersex/non-binary arrive in the Philippines, there is the potential rise of criminal activities involving the acts of the LGBTQIA+ people in the country. Can they behave themselves? Already there is one local LGBT crime that resulted one death. Can you imagine the possibility of more crime happening as more LGBTQIA+ tourists arrived? Can these people really behave themselves?

I am not just talking about sex tourism but also potential violations such as rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault, theft, scams, molestation, kidnapping, murder and other incidents that LGBTQIA+ tourists could commit here in the Philippines as they know they are favored by the DOT. If these specific foreign tourists could add to crime while touring the country, then the “Love the Philippines” slogan of the DOT could end up having a very dirty reputation plus additional embarrassment for the entire nation.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about the DOT’s drive to make the Philippines a more attractive destination for LGBTQIA+ tourists? Do you think the DOT continues to ignore the potential danger that LGBTQIA+ tourists could unleash on Filipinos while they tour the country? Did you encounter a homosexual foreign tourist who committed a crime or victimized a member of your local community? Does the majority of the youth in your local community express themselves as LGBT-friendly or even as LGBT rights activists?

Do you think that the Democrats in America, the Islamo-Leftists and woke activists could be funding LGBTQIA+ people to come to the Philippines for vacationing as well as executing secretive efforts to establish new activists among Filipinos who will blindly fight for LGBT rights in the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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PNP tells public to avoid scammers and transact only with legitimate companies when booking for travel

March 11, 2024March 2, 2024carlocarrasco

In recent times, the Philippine National Police (PNP) advised people to avoid scammers, protect their personal information and only transact with legitimate companies with regards to making arrangements for travel as the summer season approaches, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) noticed that scammers have been using digital methods and social media to deceive customers and take their money.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday advised the public to ensure that they are transacting with legitimate companies to avoid falling victims to scams ahead of the summer travel season.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) issued the warning due to the upward trend in vacation or travel accommodation scams last year.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, citing ACG data, said from 39 cases in 2021 and 91 cases in 2022, the police recorded 313 cases in 2023. This year, the police has so far recorded 35 cases.

Criminals utilize social media and digital technology to impersonate legitimate establishments, offering online accommodation services at much lower rates than usual.

However, upon arrival, victims discover that their reservations do not exist in the establishment’s system.

“We would like to take this opportunity to warn and remind our public na mag ingat (to be wary). Katulad ng sinasabi natin (As we have been saying), this is not only limited sa mga (to) vacation scam. Pati nga ‘yung mga nagbebenta ng mga murang services, nagbebenta ng mga ano-anong produkto, mag-ingat tayo especially kung ang kapalit agad nun is magpapadala kayo ng pera without you not knowing kung sino ang mga iyon (This includes those offering cheap services, selling different kinds of products, let’s be wary especially if the scheme means you have to send money without you knowing who are these),” she added.

ACG director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia Director urged netizens to exercise utmost caution and refrain from providing personal or financial details online without verifying the legitimacy of the recipient.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think the scammers have been victimizing a lot of local travelers lately? Have you seen lots of enticing travel promos on social media that promised huge discounts? If you have been traveling lately, do you do your bookings online or over the counter with a travel agency?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines described by Nikkei Asia as “Asia’s epicenter for online shopping scams”

March 7, 2024February 27, 2024carlocarrasco

In recent times, a lot of people here in the Philippines got cheated by a scammer over their huge purchases of tickets for a Taylor Swift in Singapore. This incident serves as a painful reminder that the nation has been hit by a lot of scams online, so much so the Nikkei Asia published a December 2023 article describing the Philippines as “Asia’s epicenter for online shopping scams.”

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Nikkei Asia article. Some parts in boldface…

James Relativo thought he had landed a great deal on an electric drum set, but instead the Manila resident was cheated out of his money in a country gaining the dubious distinction as Asia’s worst for online sales scams.

Shoppers across the Philippines have been bilked out of millions of dollars so far this year, with some turning to victim chat groups on Facebook and other social media. A recent report found more than one-third of Filipinos surveyed had been scammed or encountered retail fraud online.

“Some people easily believe in false promises even if they are too good to be true,” warned Alexander Ramos, executive director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

In retrospect, Relativo might have been more skeptical about a drum set going for 8,000 pesos ($140), less than half the usual price, on e-commerce site Shopee.

But he hit ‘buy’ without hesitating, and soon things turned suspicious. The seller shifted its communications to a messaging app and demanded half the cost of the drums for “refundable taxes.”

More money demands followed until a frustrated Relativo agreed to bypass Shopee’s payment system and settle his remaining balance on GCash, a digital payments platform. He never got his drums.

“I just kept telling him I wanted my money back,” Relativo told Nikkei Asia, his voice laced with exasperation. “It wasn’t like I was dealing with a scammer — he was talking to me, sending me pictures of the drum set being packed.“

The journalist’s saga highlights a bitter experience for a growing number of people in the Philippines, which clocked the highest scam rate for online shoppers across nearly a dozen economies in the 2023 Asia Scam Report, published in November.

Commissioned by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and Taiwan-based tech security company Gogolook, the report surveyed 20,000 respondents about their online shopping experiences in Vietnam, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

The shopping scam rate in the Philippines led the group at an eye-watering 35.9%, followed by mainland China at 27.2%. South Korea had the lowest incidence, at 4.2%.

The explosion in online shopping has created a lucrative market for scammers. And a lack of cybercrime awareness is aggravating the problem in the Philippines, where people spend an average of 10 hours a day online by some estimates.

“Although (Filipinos) are considered very connected and digitally wired, (they) do not have adequate digital literacy skills,” said Mark Manantan, director of cybersecurity and critical technologies at the Pacific Forum in Hawaii.

The survey found that Filipinos were easy prey for scammers because they “respond too quickly” to sellers’ demands.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think Nikkei Asia’s article is detailed enough and trustworthy when it comes to gaining a strong awareness about online scams? How members of your household or your local community got scammed online over the past six months? Why do you think a lot of people in the Philippines are so determined to spend a lot of money to watch a Taylor Swift event overseas?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Man wanted for possession of illegal drugs apprehended in Las Piñas City

February 27, 2024February 20, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a man who has been wanted for possession of illegal drugs was apprehended in Barangay BF International – CAA by law enforcers who were doing their duty finding wanted persons, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

Members of the Las Piñas City Police- Warrant and Subpoena Section (WSS) conducted an operation against wanted persons that led to the arrest of a drug suspect on Friday, Feb. 16.

According to the Southern Police District (SPD), the suspect identified as Efondo Masanga, 43, listed as the top eight wanted persons for February, was arrested at around 3:30 p.m. along Barangay CAA, Las Piñas City.

The SPD said members of the WSS in coordination with personnel from the Station Intelligence Section nabbed the suspect by a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Josefina Eco Siscar of Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 201 last Feb. 1, in violation of illegal drug possession.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Does this development make you feel safer?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Cybercrime cases nationwide fell down almost 25% in January 2024

February 20, 2024February 13, 2024carlocarrasco

The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced recently that the number of cybercrime cases nationwide fell down by almost 25% during the month of January 2024 in comparison to January 2023 specifically, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Cybercrime cases in the country dropped by 24.72 percent in January, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

In a statement, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia said 1,458 cases were logged last month from 1,937 cases in the same month in 2023.

He said the downturn shows significant progress in the ongoing battle against cyber threats and the continuous implementation of cybercrime preventive measures.

These measures include sustaining strong partnerships and collaboration with public and private stakeholders, providing cyber safety tips, engaging in media interviews, hosting informative broadcasts, distributing educational materials, and conducting lectures and seminars which greatly contributed to the overall reduction in cybercrime incidents, Hernia added.

“The PNP ACG urges the community to fearlessly report any instances of cybercrime or file complaints against these perpetrators. By doing so, we can effectively apprehend these offenders and put an end to their illicit activities, thereby preventing others from becoming victims of cybercrime,” Hernia said.

Meanwhile, the PNP-ACG warned parents anew to monitor the social media accounts of their children to protect them against sex predators.

On Monday, ACG operatives arrested a 45-year-old man for blackmailing a female minor using her nude photos. Both the suspect and the victim’s identities were withheld.

“Our team engaged in the suspect in the conversation which led to the entrapment in Paco, Manila,” Guillermo said.

The nude photos, PNP-ACG Cyber Response Unit chief Col. Jay Guillermo said, were used by the suspect in attempting to force the minor to a meet-up.

It all started when the victim accepted the suspect’s friend request, after he helped her pay for the burial expenses of her brother-in-law.

Guillermo said the suspect started to chat with the victim and lured her into sending nude photos in exchange for a brand-new cellular phone and money.

The victim told her elder sister about the incident, who sought the assistance of the PNP-ACG when the suspect started blackmailing her.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Does this latest development make you feel safer to be online? Do you know anyone in your household who got victimized by some cyber-criminal? Do you think the PNP has what it takes to fight cybercrime that is enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI)?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Wanted man arrested in Parañaque City over rape charges

February 15, 2024February 6, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, local law enforcers armed with a warrant of arrest apprehended a man in Barangay San Dionisio in relation to charges of four counts of rape, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspect has since been detained at a local police facility.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A courier facing charges for four counts of rape was arrested by members of the Parañaque City police Warrant and Subpoena Unit (WSU) on Monday, Feb. 5.

The Southern Police District reported the arrest of alias Arnold, 32, tagged by the police as the No. 1 wanted person under station level at around 2:15 p.m. along Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City.

Members of the WSU arrested the suspect by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Moises Domingo De Castro of Family Court Branch 10, Parañaque City, on Jan. 17, 2024, for four counts of rape.

De Castro recommended a bail of P200,000 for each count.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more rapists living within your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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