SBMA welcomes probe on Grande Island development deal

Directly addressing the reported call by an advocacy group for the Senate to investigate the alleged sell-out to Chinese investors of the Grande and Chiquita Islands here in Subic Bay, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said it looks forward to such an official inquiry to resolve the long-drawn issue over the two tourism islands here.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that the Subic agency would welcome any investigation over the falsely reported “sale” of the islands, which were leased in 2019 to a joint venture between GFTG Property Holdings Corp. and Sanya CEDF Sino-Philippine Tourism Investment Corp., as Chinese company.

“First of all, I would like to point out that Grande and Chiquita have not been sold—they are still the property of the Philippine government,” Eisma said. “But there is an investor-company renting the islands, and which has committed P180 million to build a five-star hotel, restaurant and recreational facilities on these properties.”

“If someone would want an investigation of the Grande Island investment project, then I say, by all means get on with it!” Eisma reacted on Thursday.  “In fact, we are highly encouraging this group calling for an official investigation so that this matter can be resolved once and for all,” Eisma added.

The SBMA chief noted that while the proposed project by the Chinese investor-company has been “in deep-freeze” after the SBMA objected to some of the development plans two years ago, “some people are maliciously using it as an example of ‘creeping Chinese invasion’ in the country.”

“As much as that group, the Pinoy Action for Governance and the Environment (PAGE), says it has had enough of intrusions into our country’s exclusive economic zone, I would say that the SBMA, too, has had enough of speculation over the nature of this tourism project here,” Eisma said.

From the viewpoint of the SBMA, which is one of the country’s top investment promotion agencies, the Grande Island development project is a legitimate investment proposal in a Philippine special economic zone where 100% foreign ownership of business enterprises is allowed.

The SBMA Business and Investment Group said the Grande Island development project started in July 2000 with Silver Dragon Cruises Inc. (SDCI) entering into a lease agreement with the SBMA to rehabilitate Pier 684 on Grande Island and operate a ferry service within Subic Bay.

In June 2002, SDCI entered into a Lease and Development Agreement (LDA) with the SBMA to develop Grande and Chiquita Islands, but soon assigned its leasehold rights to GFTG Holdings Corporation in September 2002.

The SBMA said that over the years, it has approved various amendments to the agreement with GFTG, including escalation of revenue shares, extended leasehold period, special provision for developing and marketing housing units, and changes in ownership of what has become GFTG Property Holdings Corp.

Eisma said the biggest change in GFTG occurred in January 2019 when it brought in Sanya CEDF as its biggest shareholder, with 79.99% ownership of the firm. However, in May 2019, the SBMA Board of Directors withdrew its consent to the change in the control and ownership of GFTG, noting that the changes were made without its approval, thus violating the LDA between SBMA and GFTG.

At that time, the SBMA also noted that the Sanya-controlled GFTG had proposed to build 80 ultra-high end housing units over the water along the coastline of Grande and Chiquita islands. This, Eisma pointed out, was not allowed due to Constitutional limits giving the use and enjoyment of archipelagic waters exclusively to Filipino citizens.

Eisma said that ever since 2019, the Grande project has been in a limbo—for the SBMA, as well as for the investor. “The company continues paying rent for the property, but no new development has taken place—which is sad because Grande is Subic’s tourism jewel and it’s just going to waste,” she stressed.

Eisma added that if there may be some security concern over Grande Island because of its strategic location, then this is the best time to bring out and resolve the issue. “We welcome the call for a Senate investigation, but let me add that let’s take it very seriously. I hope the call was made not only for the purpose of grandstanding,” she added. (MPD-SBMA)

 PHOTOS:

The Grande and Chiquita Islands on Subic Bay; part of the existing resort project 

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Firm tampering with product expiry faces cancellation of permit

A company found to be tampering with the expiration dates of food products kept in its warehouse here is facing revocation of its permit to operate, and may eventually lose its certificate of registration as a Freeport enterprise.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said she has ordered the suspension of the certificate of registration and tax exemption (CRTE) of Phil-Em Enterprise Incorporated after the firm’s employees were caught red-handed in a raid by law enforcers last Monday.

“It saddens me to know that some unscrupulous people are taking advantage of others especially in this time of a pandemic,” Eisma said.

She said that the consent to sublease given to Phil-Em Enterprise for the use of a warehouse at the Global Industrial Park here may also be withdrawn if warranted.

“We will not tolerate any activity that violates the law and besmirches the solid reputation of the Subic Bay Freeport as the leading economic center in the part of the country,” Eisma added.

According to a report from the SBMA Intelligence and Investigation Office (SBMA-IIO), elements of the National Bureau of Investigation and the SBMA-IIO raided the Phil-Em warehouse early Monday on the strength of a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City.

During the operation, law enforcement agents caught Phil-Em employees in the act of erasing the expiry dates on packs of Clover Chips and replacing the same with new dates using printing machines, said SBMA-IIO officer in charge Rodel del Rosario.

Subsequently, the operatives confiscated four Citronex printers with conveyors, 150 reams of label stickers, 50 reams of various printed label stickers, and two cans of eraser fluid.

The agents also seized several boxes of food items like Clover Chips, Ligo sardines, Nissin Cup Noodles, Century Tuna, Milo energy Drink, Sky Flakes crackers, Star margarine, Magnolia cheese, Royal and Fiesta pasta, Lily’s peanut butter, and food seasoning.

Phil-Em owner Philip Velasco was arrested along with employees during the raid, Del Rosario also reported. They were brought to the NBI office in Olongapo for further investigation.

Velasco’s business partner Amanda Pathak, who was also named in the search warrant, will also be charged by the NBI, said Del Rosario.

The suspects will be charged with violation of RA 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, RA 9711 of the Food and Drugs Administration Act of 2009, and RA 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013. (MPD-SBMA)

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Worker found dead in barracks

A man who worked as maintenance staff at the Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal here was found dead beside his bed at the company barracks on Friday.

Jimmy Gonzaga Ocaña Jr., 40 years old, was found lifeless by his co-workers around 5:45 a.m. on May 1, according to initial reports by the Intelligence and Investigation Office (IIO) of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The victim was a resident of Marikina City, who worked for the company operating a grain terminal at the Cubi Point here.

Ocaña was staying in the barracks, as he was caught in the lockdown under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and could not go back to his hometown, it was learned.

The SBMA has required companies authorized to operate under the ECQ to provide accommodations inside the Freeport for their workers.

The SBMA Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD), meanwhile, ruled out that it was Covid-19 related since he did not show any symptom like fever or cough, and had no history of travel or exposure.

Ocaña had reportedly consulted a doctor about some pain in his leg, and was prescribed some pain killer before being sent home.

Co-workers said he again complained about leg pain while having dinner Thursday night and later asked for help in going up the short flight of stairs to their barracks.

They added that when they woke up the next day, they saw Ocaña lying face down beside his bed. When they tried to wake him up, the victim was no longer responding.

His co-workers then called the attention of company officials who called the SBMA Law Enforcement Department for help.

Personnel from the SBMA PHSD also arrived and checked on the victim, but the attending physician declared that Ocaña was already dead.

The Philippine National Police in Morong, Bataan has said there was no apparent foul play in the death of the victim. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

The workers’ barracks is cordoned off during an investigation into Ocaña’s death

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SBMA bans 3 brokers in P40-M liquor smuggling try

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has blacklisted three customs brokers for involvement in the attempted smuggling here recently of expensive liquor worth around P40 million.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said this was the initial action of the agency in connection with the smuggling attempt that was foiled by the SBMA Law Enforcement Department (SBMA-LED) just before Christmas.

The SBMA Seaport Department has identified the blacklisted brokers as Ellen Baylon, an authorized representative of the brokerage firm Alava Alliance, Inc.; John Louie Pabico, a processor of Phil-Hohan International Corp.; and Cherry Springael, a freelance processor and authorized representative of Alava Alliance.

“These persons have been banned from doing business with the SBMA Seaport, and the companies they represented have been placed on indefinite suspension pending the final results of investigation by the Bureau of Customs (BOC),” Eisma added.

She added that the BOC, which received custody of the smuggled items from the SBMA, will also file appropriate criminal charges against the brokers for violation of the Customs and Tariff Act, as well as Republic Act 7227, or the Bases Conversion and Development Act.

“Let this serve as a warning that Subic authorities won’t tolerate illegal activities in the Freeport, and we will apply the full measure of the law in cases like this,” Eisma added.

The SBMA said earlier that its law enforcement operatives seized a total of 1,321 boxes of liquor from a closed van that was about to leave the Freeport on Dec. 24, and from a 40-footer container van parked at the Subic Seaport Terminal on Dec. 28.

The seized contraband included 54 bottles of Remy Martin Louis XIII, which sells as much as P170,000 per bottle, and eight boxes of Remy Martin Centaure De Diamant, which fetches P60,000 per bottle.

The SBMA police began the operation on Christmas Eve after a tipster informed them that a closed van and a Nissan Patrol SUV would attempt to smuggle contraband from the Freeport.

Subsequently, SBMA-LED operatives posted along the Argonaut Highway leading to Subic’s sea ports monitored the vehicles and tailed them to the 14th Street Gate where they were stopped by sentries.

The Fuso van, bearing File No. 036404 of BCR Trucking, was found to contain 275 boxes of Remy Martin Cognac Champagne, 448 boxes of Martini, 66 boxes of Remy Martin XO, 17 boxes of Remy Martin Champagne, 8 boxes of Remy Martin Louis XIII, 8 boxes of Remy Martin Centaure De Diamant, 7 boxes of Remy Martin Club, and 7 boxes of Remy Martin.

The driver, identified as 41-year old Julio Flores, as well as the helper, 46-year old Marvin Arcega, failed to present necessary documents when accosted by the police, the SBMA-LED said in a report.

Under investigation, Flores reported that he picked up the merchandise from the Subic Seaport Terminal Inc. (SSTI) at the Boton Pier here on instruction of a certain “Ed” who rented his truck for the pickup.

Flores added that a certain “Cherry” assured him that the goods were ready for exit at Subic’s Tipo gate even without any document because two other trucks with similar load were able to exit so.

With this information, SBMA operatives conducted a follow-up operation on Thursday that led them to a white Isuzu Giga cab with the markings “Sinfa Logistics Inc.” that was parked at the SSTI’s Boton Pier facility. The 40-footer container yielded 333 boxes of Remy Martin, 196 boxes of Remy Martin XO, 1 box of Remy Martin Club, 1 box of Martini, 2 boxes of Remy Martin, and 10 boxes of Remy Martin Louis XIII.

Eisma said the SBMA police conducted an inventory of the smuggled items in the presence of representatives from the Bureau of Customs, the SBMA Seaport Department and members of the media before turning over the confiscated items and the vehicles containing them to the Bureau of Customs in the Port of Subic. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Floating shabu lab seized off Subic, 4 HK nationals nabbed

Authorities seized Monday night a 50-meter Chinese fishing vessel-cum-floating shabu laboratory off the coast of Subic in Zambales, arrested four Hong Kong nationals and recovered half a kilo of shabu valued at P2.5 million.

This is the second time that a shabu floating laboratory was discovered in Philippine waters. The first one was in 2013.

Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) spokesman Supt. Enrico Rigor said they learned about the floating shabu lab after the arrest of a member of a drug syndicate and confirmed by tipsters.

“I believe this is the first time that we encountered this — a floating shabu laboratory. We are yet to determine how large the production but we believe that this ship is supplying a big portion of the shabu consumption in Luzon,” said Rigor.

The raid on the fishing vessel which was docked 30 minutes away from the Subic Bay port was pulled before midnight Monday.

“It’s a fishing vessel. But when it was boarded, there is no trace whatsoever that it is being used or was previously used for fishing,’ said Rigor.

PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa motored to the area, inspected the ship and confronted the four Hongkongese identified as Shu Fook Leung, 49; Kam Wah Kwok, 47; Wing Fai Lo, 42; and Kwok Tung Chan, 29. One of them is a chemist.

Rigor said the vessel is equipped with high-tech navigation equipment which includes a sonar capable of detecting approaching ships.

Senior Supt. Albert Ignatius Ferro, AIDG director, said the K-9 dog of the Coast Guard sat down in one of the areas of the ship indicating traces of shabu inside.

Authorities seized a transparent plastic pack containing half-a-kilo of white substance suspected to be shabu and the hydrogenator which, according to sources is capable of manufacturing 25 kilos of shabu a day.

The travel record of the Hongkong nationals show that they arrived in the country by plane seven days ago. Kwok, according to Rigor had been to other countries, including Europe prior to his arrest.

“We believe that they are the chemists. They were there for the manufacturing of the shabu inside the vessel,” said Rigor.

Since May

Tipsters said the fishing boat has been in the area since May sailing in the areas of Ilocos, Cagayan and Subic area at least three times in the past months. Persons on speedboats and jet skis were also seen visiting the docked vessel.

Rigor said they are eyeing the possibility that the P1 billion worth of shabu which was dug up on a beach resort in Cagayan recently came from the fishing vessel. Cohorts may have already unloaded a shabu shipment when the AIDG operatives boarded the vessel which explains why they only seized a small amount of shabu.

Based on intelligence reports, Rigor said the vessel would get either finished product or raw ingredients in manufacturing shabu from China.

“It only takes two to three days to manufacture shabu. And this seems to be the safest for them to manufacture shabu in the sea,” said Rigor.

The Hong Kong nationals will be brought to the AIDG headquarters in Camp Crame and charged with violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act. The vessel is currently being guarded by the Coast Guard. ( Aaron B. Recuenco, with reports from Jonas Reyes, Franco G. Regala, Manila Bulletin and PNA)

PHOTO:
ON ALL FRONTS – What looks like an ordinary fishing vessel on the outside (left photo) is actually a floating shabu laboratory that was seized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in an operation Monday in Subic Bay. PNP chief Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa (Inset) confronts four Chinese nationals nabbed in the 50-meter vessel which was said to have ferried drug shipments to Zambales, the Ilocos, Cagayan, and Pangasinan. (Jonas Reyes, PNP-Public Information Office Photo/mb.com.ph)

http://www.mb.com.ph/floating-shabu-lab-seized-off-subic-4-hk-nationals-nabbed/

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Let justice be done, says Aquino

COMMUNICATIONS Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday said President Aquino wants all government agencies concerned to make sure the killing of a transgender in Olongapo City is solved.

He assured the family of 26-year-old Jeffrey Laude there will be no whitewash.

Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton, a member of the US Marine Corps, has been identified s the killer, and is being detained at the USS Peleliu which is docked at Subic Bay.

Coloma acknowledged the concerns of Laude’s family, including their call for speedy investigations.

“Lahat naman po ng pamilya ng mga nagiging biktima ng mga krimen ay naghahangad ng agarang solusyon. Iyon din po ang hangad ng ating pamahalaan. Kalakip na po iyon doon sa pagsasabi that the ends of justice will be served, at hindi po ba may kasabihang ‘justice delayed is justice denied.’ Kaya dapat lamang na maging agaran ang paghahanap ng solusyon at paggawad ng katarungan dito,” he said.

Quoting Eduardo Oban, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, said the Philippine and US governments have agreed on the importance of a thorough investigation “so that the ends of justice will be served.”

Admiral Samuel Locklear, chief of the US Pacific Command, expressed “regrets” over the killing.

Locklear relayed the message to AFP chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang during the annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board meeting held in Camp Aguinaldo. Locklear and Catapang are the co-chairmen of the boards.

“He (Locklear) talked about it. In fact, personally he wants to say his regrets for what has happened, that unfortunate incident,” said Catapang.

“He said that he sympathizes with the family for what had happened, and he wants a full investigation to be conducted by the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigation Service) together with the PNP,” said Catapang, quoting Locklear.

The defense department said the killing is an isolated and tragic incident and that should not undermine future military exercise with US troops and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which was signed last April.

“This is an isolated incident, albeit a tragic one. We call on all concerned not to lose sight of the bigger picture and to look at these—PH-US exercises, EDCA and homicide–as different issues,” said DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez.

Militant congressmen continued to pounce on the EDCA and the VFA, saying the case only proves that concerns over the one-sidedness of the agreements “are not imagined.”

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the Aquino government should have immediately asserted authority over the custody of US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton. (Jocelyn Montemayor, Malaya)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/let-justice-be-done-says-aquino

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Marine detained in Filipino's killing: Navy memo

A U.S. Marine is in custody Sunday following the apparent killing of a transgender individual in the Philippines.

The Marine, whose identity has not been released, is being held on board the amphibious assault ship Peleliu while agents with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service piece together what happened Saturday night at the Celzone Lodge in Olongapo City, according to an internal Navy memo obtained by Marine Corps Times. Local Philippine police also are investigating the matter.

The Marine is assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The infantry unit is deployed to the Philippines as part of a joint training exercise. Three other Marines from the same unit, described as potential witnesses, also have been detained aboard the ship, according to the memo, which was distributed to dozens of senior Navy officials, as well as NCIS and State Department personnel.

Reached Sunday night, Marine Corps officials at the Pentagon declined to comment and directed Marine Corps Times to the U.S. embassy in Manila. Attempts to reach the embassy were not immediately successful. A spokesman for Marine Corps Forces Pacific in Hawaii also declined to comment.

Local media in the Philippines broke the story Sunday afternoon. U.S. officials there were bracing for protests as the news spread, the Navy memo indicates.

The victim was identified as 26-year-old Jeffrey Laude, police told Inquirer.net. Laude’s body was found just before midnight Saturday and apparently showed signs of strangulation.

Laude’s friend, who accompanied Laude and “a foreigner” to the hotel, reportedly told police they’d been at a local disco bar. Soon after they arrived at the hotel, Laude became uneasy and asked the friend to leave before “the foreigner could discover that they were transgenders,” Inquirer.net reported.

Thousands of U.S. troops are in the Philippines for PHIBLEX 15, a multinational exercise. The Peleliu is on a port call in Subic Bay that is scheduled through Tuesday, the Navy memo indicates. (Andrew deGrandpre with David Larter and Gina Harkins, Marine Times)

PHOTO:
The amphibious assault ship Peleliu is seen in Subic Bay, Philippines, for Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015, on Sept. 30. A Marine is being held aboard the Peleliu as NCIS agents and local authorities investigate the killing of a Filipino on Saturday night. (MC2(SW/AW) Amanda Gray / Navy)

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20141012/NEWS06/310120031/Marine-detained-Filipino-s-killing-Navy-memo

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