NEWS ARTICLES: December 16, 2002
German national Harry Joost ordered arrested
German national Hartmut "Harry" Joost tagged as undocumented,
overstaying, and undesirable alien by the Bureau of immigration and
Deportation (BID) has been ordered issuance of an arrest warrant
by the Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 1. The warrant against
Joost is in connection with a case
before the Honorable Judge Merrinisa O. Ligaya for
obstruction of justice with case number 397-99.
Joost failed to appear at a hearing last December 4 and the warrant was
issued. Bail was set at P12,000. Joost is charged with obstruction of
justice for failing to reveal the whereabout of a witness/complainant in a
case against Australian convicted paedophile Victor Fitzgerald despite
admitting to the National Bureau of Investigation that he knew her
whereabouts and that he knew the woman who had custody over the minor.
Joost
to be put on trial
Harmut "Harry" Joost, a German national residing at Baloy Long Beach,
Olongapo City has been ordered to be put on trial by
Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) Commissioner Andrea Domingo
August 22, 2002. Joost has been brought to justice after almost two years
since BID Associate Commissioner Linda Malenab-Hornilla found sufficient
basis that he allegedly committed the crime of false testimony, that he is
undesirable for having been charged with obstruction of justice, and for
being undocumented and overstaying alien in the country. Joost alleged that
he arrived in the country only on June 21, 2001 under E.O. 408 21 days
status but according to Atty. Leland Lacanieta of the BID he has been in the
country for more than 20 years. He has not applied for permanent residency,
nor would any evidence show the legality of his previous stay in the country
in violation of article 37(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act. The
complaints against Joost were brought by PREDA Foundation staff led by Fr.
Shay Cullen.
American
and Australian suspected traffickers charged with child abuse
American national Thomas Glenn Jarrel and Australian Terrence George
Matthews and four of their Filipino companions were charged with violation
of Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Law December 2 at the Angeles
Regional Trial Court Branch 60. Jarrel, Matthews, and their co-accused
Shirley Delbo, Rital Samudio, Editha Matthews and Rea dela Cruz were charged
with violation of section 12, article VIII and section 5(a) article III of
said law for allegedly employing a child below 15 years old without permit
and for inducing child prostitution by hiring at least three minors as
erotic dancers in a bar in this city. Six girls rescued from the bars are
now undergoing therapy and rehabilitation at the PREDA Children's Home.
Arraignment of said cases is scheduled on January 17, 2003. Hold orders were
issued by the judge. The operation to rescue the minors was conducted by the
National Bureau of Investigation and the International Justice Mission of
Washington, D.C.
American national charles Eckdahl charged with child abuse
American national Charles Duane Eckdahl, 61 years old, was arrested by police and charged with violation of Republic Act 7610 November 13, 2002 for allegedly sexually abusing two boys in a motel in Olongapo City. The two boys, aged 14 and 15 years old, admitted to police during investigation that Eckdahl sexually abused them several times after letting them watch pornographic films on VCD. According to their sworn affidavits, Eckdahl also promised to buy them clothes and bring them to Baguio City or the United States. Eckdahl is on temporary liberty upon paying P40,000 as bail and is banned from leaving the country by the Hon. Judge Renato J. Dilag.
