Tag: Department of Justice (DOJ)

Crackdown on undocumented, overstaying POGO workers by the PNP

Crackdown on undocumented, overstaying POGO workers by the PNP

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With all the media buzz and attention on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) related to crime (read my previous POGO post by clicking here), the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to do a crackdown on the foreign workers of POGOs which are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. The crackdown is supposedly a part of security measures to combat different types of crime.

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

The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed on Monday, Sept. 19, to intensify the crackdown against hundreds of thousands of foreign workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) as part of the security measures against kidnapping and other criminal activities related to offshore gambling in the country.

Based on the initial estimate of the PNP from the data provided by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), there were at least 800,000 Chinese in the country. most of them easily entered the Philippines when POGO operations in the country were approved.

And based on the PNP data through its Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), the number of kidnapping cases steeply went up since 2017, most of them are POGO-related.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said the sad part of the POGO workers entry in the country in the past years is that they were not properly documented–attributing it to the privilege accorded to them wherein their visa and travel documents are approved after their arrival.

“There were an estimated 800,000 Chinese in the country and we do not know if that 800,000 are still documented. Maybe some of them are already undocumented that is why we are suggesting to the PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) to furnish us the copy o the approved POGOs so that our crackdown would be easier,” said Azurin.

PNP officials earlier met with PAGCOR and BI officials to discuss the issues related to POGO operations in the country.

A few days ago, over 40 Chinese POGO workers were rescued from the clutches of their abductors while a number of Chinese were also arrested for involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities.

On Saturday, the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered a closure of POGO in Angeles City in Pampanga.

“The reason why we engaged PAGCOR and BI and even DOJ (Department of Justice) is that we really need to put our acts together. We should share information together to monitor the entry of Chinese in the country,” said Azurin.

System of Monitoring

Azurin earlier disclosed that the PNP maintained a hands-off policy on POGO since they were told before not to meddle on POGO-issues unless there would be a crime that would be committed.

With the PNP being bashed on the social media in the past weeks, Azurin started training his eyes on POGO after learning that almost of kidnapping cases, some of them went viral, involved POGO workers.

He said there is a need to strictly monitor the entry and the status of POGO workers in the country as part of the peace and order.

Aside from BI intervention in the documentation process, Azurin said they also want the PAGCOR to regularly update them of the legal POGO operators in the country.

In this way, he explained that they would be able to locate the overstaying POGO workers in the country.

Azurin also recommended that all POGO workers must secure both police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances before they are allowed to work in the Philippines.

He issued the recommendation after they noticed that the government has no proper system in the documentation of POGIO workers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this new development? Do you support the PNP’s crackdown on the undocumented and overstaying POGO workers all over the nation? Does your local community have lots of foreigners who are currently employed by POGOs? Do you think that some of the foreign employees of POGOs are fugitives from overseas? Whenever you see Chinese nationals physically present in your local community, do you often think about POGOs immediately?

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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Muntinlupa City Council condemns closure of another road in NBP Reservation

Muntinlupa City Council condemns closure of another road in NBP Reservation

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The City Council of Muntinlupa passed yesterday a resolution strongly condemning the closure of another road inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) Reservation in Muntinlupa City and called on Congress to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to look into the legality and validity of such closure and other policies that directly affect the welfare of the people of Muntinlupa.

Majority Floor Leader Coun. Raul Corro said the city council passed the resolution in its regular session. In his privilege speech, Corro noted that BuCor appears to have misinterpreted the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 or the BuCor Modernization Law as basis for the recent road closure.

“The Bucor Law is not superior to the Constitution, the new local government code, the Urban Development and Housing Act and other existing laws,” he said. “When the general welfare of our constituents is directly affected, we cannot remain silent or condone such clear violations of our existing laws.”

The councilor said that the access road has been serving the residents of Type B residents for many decades. He noted that the City Government will continue to express its collective sentiment against BuCor’s violations to protect the general welfare of city residents directly affected by the policies implemented by the BuCor.

“Bucor has the propensity to implement policies affecting the welfare of our constituents without prior consultation and coordination with the city government as mandated by existing laws, ” Corro said.

He cited two examples of these policies implemented by Bucor without prior consultation. One is the transfer of Covid-19 positive inmates from its penal facility in Mandaluyong City to NBP Reservation and another is the eviction and demolition of homeless and underprivileged citizens without securing compliance certificate from the Local Housing Board as mandated by the Urban Development and Housing Act and local ordinances.

Under the local resolution, the City Government will also seek assistance from Muntinlupa Congressman Ruffy Biazon for the conduct of a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation to look into the legality and validity of such closure.

Cong. Biazon earlier criticized BuCor for building the wall without any coordination with the city government. He said that the recent road closure is a form of disrespect not only to the officials of Muntinlupa but to the Secretary of Justice who is still currently trying to resolve the issue of the first road closure known as Insular Road.

Last March, the City Government has also condemned BuCor’s action to construct a concrete wall along Insular Road, an access road of Southville 3 residents to the city proper. Southville 3 is a socialized housing project of the National Housing Authority located within NBP with 8,000 families or at least 40,000 residents.

The Muntinlupa City Council and Sangguniang Barangay of Brgy. Poblacion passed a resolution requesting the Department of Justice to order BuCor to reopen the road going to and from Southville 3 and requesting the conduct an investigation in aid of legislation.

In another development, the City Council also passed a resolution urging BuCor to immediately cease and desist the eviction and demolition of informal settlers within the NBP Reservation. The City Government said BuCor should first secure a compliance certificate from the Local Housing Board in accordance with RA 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 prior the demolition. Under the local resolution, BuCor is enjoined to secure a permit from Muntinlupa Local Housing Board in compliance with RA 7279 and Muntinlupa City Ordinance 17-091.

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The above details were sourced from an official press release issued by the Muntinlupa PIO.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. 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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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

Muntinlupa City Council approves resolution urging BuCor to secure LGU permit prior to eviction and demolition of residents within NBP

Muntinlupa City Council approves resolution urging BuCor to secure LGU permit prior to eviction and demolition of residents within NBP

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The City Council of Muntinlupa passed an urgent resolution in its regular session yesterday formally urging the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to immediately cease and desist the eviction and demolition of informal settlers within the NBP Reservation and should first secure a compliance certificate from the Local Housing Board in accordance with existing national and local laws as well as Executive Orders and DILG issuances on the matter.

Members of the Muntinlupa City Council approves a resolution urging BuCor to secure proper certification of compliance and ensure adherence with Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 prior to eviction and demolition of residents within NBP.

Under the local resolution, BuCor is enjoined to secure a permit from Muntinlupa Local Housing Board in compliance with RA 7279 and Muntinlupa City Ordinance 17-091.

While the City Government recognizes the mandate of BuCor in improving safety and security measures in its security camps, the Muntinlupa City Council emphasizes the need for strict compliance to national and local laws and issuances related to the conduct of evictions and demolitions.

Section 3 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7279 mandates government agencies authorized to demolish to secure a certification from the LGU or concerned agency that the area is the site of an infrastructure project with available funding which shall commence within sixty (60) days after clearing of the said area prior to any conduct of demolition.

BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag has ordered the eviction and demolition of residents within the 50 meter-radius form the fence of security camps.

In a letter addressed to Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi dated May 4, 2021, DG Bantag informed the local government of BuCor’s initiative to clear all structures near prison facilities and added that the project aims to “ensure that contrabands will not be thrown inside the Security Camps.”

He added that the project is in accordance with the twin mandate of the BuCor on Safekeeping and Reformation and as a preventive measure to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

Last March, the City Government has called out another BuCor’s move to construct a concrete wall on the access road of Southville 3 residents to the city proper.

The Muntinlupa City Council passed a resolution requesting the Department of Justice to order BuCor to reopen the road going to and from National Housing Authority, Southville 3 and requesting Congress of the Philippines, thru Cong. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation.

The Sangguniang Barangay of Brgy. Poblacion has also condemned BuCor’s wall installation in Bilibid Road. Southville 3 is a socialized housing project of the National Housing Authority located within NBP with 8,000 families or at least 40,000 residents.

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The above details were from the official press release issued by the Muntinlupa Public Information Office. Some parts were edited for this website.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. 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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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