Latest news with #SaleemaRefran
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
89 foreigners llinked to POGO, scam hubs deported
At least 89 foreigners who are allegedly involved in a scam hub in the Philippines have been deported, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). According to Saleema Refran's Thursday report on '24 Oras,' 77 Vietnamese and 12 South Koreans were deported as part of PAOCC's efforts to decogest its detention facility in Pasay City, as some are getting sick and in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s order to hasten the deportation of arrested foreigners. 'Yung temporary detention center natin dito sa Pasay kasi almost 800 pa rin po yung nakakulong natin diyan. And kailangan bawasan na natin. So unti-unti, last month nakapag-deport na rin po kami ng 100 plus and now magde-deport po tayo ng 120 plus,' PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said. (We have almost 800 foreigners in our detention center in Pasay, and we need to decrease the population. So last month, we deported over 100 foreigners, and we will deport 120 more foreigners.) Some foreigners will also be deported this month, depending on the Bureau of Immigration's release of documents and clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation. Cruz also attended the dialogue between the Philippines and the Criminal Police Department of Vietnam to strengthen the cooperation of the two countries in the fight against illegal offshore gaming and related crimes. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- GMA Network
2 soldiers file rape, attempted rape raps vs. 2-star general
A two-star general in the Armed Forces of the Philippines is facing complaints for rape and attempted rape after he allegedly took advantage of two soldiers in his room after they had drinks earlier. According to Saleema Refran's exclusive report on "24 Oras," CCTV footage showed that a group of soldiers, including the general, arrived at the San Fernando Air Base in Lipa, Batangas, on the night of January 29. Another clip showed two soldiers coming out of the senior officer's quarters crying. Their lieutenant can be seen attending to them, and that's when the two reported the incident. The complainants said in their affidavit that the general asked them to sleep in his room, which they did not take seriously at first. That's when the alleged sexual assault took place. The star-ranked officer denied the allegations against him. He said that the sexual assault was impossible to happen as the complainants could 'overpower' him. 'Complainants are strong, able-bodied military officers who could easily overpower me…They are not under duress nor did I use a firearm or any bladed weapon, nor I use force, threat, or intimidation against their will,' the general's counter-affidavit further read. 'They could have easily left my room, as they had free access to the door or used force to prevent the unlawful act,' he added. The complainants lawyer said rape could happen even to men. 'Yung pang-aabuso, yung panghahalay, pwede siyang mangyari kahit kanino. Pwedeng mangyari sa babae, pwedeng mangyari sa lalaki, pwedeng mangyari kahit sa mga matitipunong mga sundalo,' said lawyer Nico Robert Martin. (The abuse and rape, it can happen to anyone. It can happen to women, to men, and even to the strongest soldiers.) The general was relieved from his post and placed under the restrictive custody of the Philippine Air Force. Investigation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability found a prima facie evidence that would entail the general to face pre-trial investigation. Meanwhile, the initial probe findings are already with AFP Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. 'For review na po siya and signature po ng ating chief-of-staff. Siya rin po ang ating convening authority. And the case is currently awaiting his approval for the referral doon sa ating general court-martial,' said AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla. (It's already for review and for the signature of our chief-of-staff. He will also be the convening authority. And the case is currently awaiting his approval for the referral to our court-martial.) 'Yun pong ating accused will face trial under Articles of War 96, ito pong conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman. And [Articles of War] 97, conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline,' she added. (The accused will face trial under Articles of War 96, or the conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman; and Articles of War 97, conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.) 'Zero tolerance po tayo for any form of misconduct such as this po,' Padilla also said. (We implement zero tolerance to any form of misconduct such as this.) –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News
