Philippine News Digest 43
November 25, 2002 ·
Contents:
- 10 boys wound selves in bid to oust ‘abusive’ jail exec
- 8-month OFW remittance up 22.6%
- Suspected pedophile held
10 boys wound selves in bid to oust ‘abusive’ jail exec
At least 10 boys detained at the Cebu City-run facility for minor offenders have inflicted wounds, scratches and cuts in their arms and hands to signify their demand to have their “abusive” jail warden replaced. The boys detained at the Operation Second Chance detention facility warned they would continue harming themselves if authorities refused to address their demands. Regional Trial Court judge Pampio Abarintos, who presides over Cebu’s family court paid a surprise visit to the facility and vowed to conduct an investigation of the allegations to give the jail warden an opportunity to explain his side. There is an estimated 20,000 minors languishing in jails in the Philippines, an outright violation of Philippine and international laws. Source: Jolene Bulambot, Philippine Daily Inquirer Visayas Bureau, 25 November 2002.
8-month OFW remittance up 22.6%
More than 5 million Filipinos working overseas as nurses, IT professionals, teachers, caregivers sent a total of $4.832 billion to their families in the first eight months of 2002, up from $3.94 billion a year ago. The average year-on-year growth in dollar remittances, however, continued to slow down when the eight-month level grew by only 22.6 percent from 24.8 percent. Remittance from overseas Filipino workers helped the Philippine economy remain afloat in previous years but not without great social cost. Source: Clarissa Batino, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 23 November 2002.
Suspected pedophile held
A 61-year old American tourist was arrested in Olongapo City November 13 after two teenagers told investigators that the man had molested them. The policemen were conducting patrol operations when thy saw the tourist taking pictures of the two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, who were swimming at the Baloy Beach in Barangay Barretto. The police invited the suspect and the two teenagers for questioning on suspicion that the American was a pedophile. During the interview, the teenagers admitted to police that the suspect molested them in a motel in the city. Source: Allan Macatuno, Philippine Daily Inquirer Central Luzon Desk, 18 November 2002.
