Latest news with #Remulla
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Russia, US refused to take vlogger Zdorovetskiy —DILG Sec. Remulla
Detained Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will not be deported from the Philippines as Russia and the United States refused to accept him, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Sunday. 'Ang problema kasi namin, ang Russia, hindi siya tinatanggap, ang US naman, green card holder siya, hindi rin siya tinatanggap, so hindi namin alam kung saan siya papauwiin eh,' Remulla said in a statement. (Our problem is that Russia is not accepting him, neither does the US where he is a green card holder. So we don't know where to send him.) Zdorovetskiy was nabbed by Philippine authorities in April for engaging in a series of law-breaking stunts, including videoing himself harassing Filipinos. He will be facing trial next week for three counts of unjust vexation, with a possible imprisonment of three months to one year. 'We will service his sentence, sinigurado ko po 'yun (I assure you that he will serve his sentence),' Remulla said. Zdorovetskiy has asked Remulla to drop the charges against him, citing mental health concerns. However, Remulla said Zdorovetskiy's actions should never go unpunished. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Detained Russian vlogger asks DILG chief Remulla to drop charges
Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, currently detained for harassing Filipinos in public for content, has asked Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to drop the charges against him, citing mental health concerns. According to Jun Veneracion's report in '24 Oras' on Friday, Remulla said he received a letter from the Russian detainee. 'Sumulat sa akin na he is suffering from mental health issues daw,' Remulla said. 'Kung puwede i-drop na 'yung mga kaso, humihingi siya ng patawad.' (He wrote to me that he is allegedly suffering from mental health issues…asking if the charges filed against him could be dropped, and he also asked for forgiveness.) But Remulla maintained that Zdorovetskiy's actions should never go unpunished. He further stated that charges of unjust vexation against Zdorovetskiy for harassing three security guards will be filed in court next week. Earlier, the Taguig Prosecutor's Office had dismissed the theft charges but found 'sufficient evidence on record to establish a reasonable certainty of conviction for the crime of unjust vexation.' Remulla also said that Zdorovetskiy's legal team attempted to reach a settlement with the security guards. 'Mabuti na lang, 'yung mga security guards ay matibay ang loob. Hindi bumigay at itutuloy natin ang kaso,' he said. (Good thing our security guards stood firm. They did not fall for it and will continue with the case.) GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the legal team of the Russian vlogger. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Remulla doesn't believe Teves wanted to return to PH
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said he does not believe that former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. wanted to resolve the charges against him in the Philippines while he was in Timor-Leste. Teves, the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, is back in the Philippines after being deported by authorities in Timor-Leste. 'Hindi, ayaw niya lang talaga umuwi,' Remulla said in an ambush interview. (No, he just didn't want to return.) 'In fact, if you analyze everything that happened, nung nangyari 'yan he was abroad. But if he really was innocent, he would have come home. Pwede naman siya umuwi eh, pero hindi siya umuwi, di ba?' he added. (In fact, if you analyze everything that happened, when that happened he was abroad. But if he really was innocent, he would have come home. He could have returned, but he didn't, right?) While being read his Miranda rights during his flight, Teves said that he had no problem with returning to the Philippines as long as it was done right. In an earlier briefing, he also said that while he was in Timor-Leste, he thought that the cases against him must be resolved. 'At least ma-ano na din, matapos na rin. Kahit nung nandoon ako [sa Timor-Leste], iniisip ko kung hindi man ako umuwi. Haharapin— kailangan din ito matapos eh,' Teves said earlier. (At least it will finally be over. Even when I was in Timor-Leste, I was already thinking that even if I didn't return, this still had to be faced and resolved.) Teves was supposedly seeking treatment in the United States during the shooting Degamo and others on March 4, 2023 in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Instead of returning to the country, Remulla said Teves visited ASEAN countries before settling in Timor-Leste. 'So what gives? Di ba flight is an indication of guilt,' Remulla said. When sought for comment, Topacio declined to comment, saying that Teves never said he wanted to return to the country. In an earlier briefing, Teves reiterated that he was concerned for his life when asked why he stayed in Timor-Leste if he knew that he needed to face the charges against him. The former lawmaker is facing multiple murder charges over the killing of Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Teves and others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Roque slipped out via Tawi-Tawi, now in Netherlands seeking asylum—DOJ
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is facing charges linked to illegal offshore gaming activities, left the country through the southern backdoor route of Tawi-Tawi, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. Remulla revealed Tuesday, May 27, that Roque managed to leave the Philippines undetected despite being subject to an immigration lookout bulletin, as he allegedly used an unmonitored exit point. 'There was already a lookout bulletin, but it didn't trigger an alert. He exited through the back door,' Remulla said. He added that Roque likely used a boat or speedboat to reach Malaysia via Sipadan in Sabah. Roque is currently in the Netherlands, where he is seeking political asylum. The justice chief also claimed that Roque held at least two Philippine passports—possibly under different middle or second names—which would be illegal. The DOJ has filed a motion to revoke his travel documents. Roque, however, denied the allegation. He explained that he has only one active regular passport, and the other one, though valid, had no blank pages and was turned over to the authorities. 'I am currently using one regular passport. The other was cancelled without prejudice,' he said in a statement, adding that the passport is now with Dutch authorities as part of his asylum process. Roque is among over 40 individuals facing qualified trafficking charges tied to the raided offshore gaming hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Roque denies DOJ claim he holds multiple passports, says one is with Dutch authorities
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday refuted the Department of Justice's claim that he possesses more than one Philippine passport. 'For the record, I am currently using one regular passport,' Roque said in a statement, explaining that his second passport—though still valid—had run out of blank pages and was already canceled 'without prejudice' by the Department of Foreign Affairs. He added that his current passport is now with Dutch authorities as part of his asylum application. The DOJ earlier alleged that Roque has at least two passports, which Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said is illegal. Remulla also said the passports may have minor differences, such as a different middle initial or second name. The department has since moved to cancel Roque's travel documents. He is facing charges of qualified human trafficking in connection with the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga. Remulla cast doubt on Roque's asylum plea in the Netherlands, saying the alleged offense of human trafficking undermines any legitimate claim for political protection in Europe. 'He's a fugitive from the law,' Remulla added. Roque, who claims political persecution due to his ties with the Duterte family, has insisted on his innocence. Malacañang has denied his claims.
