1 New Zealander, 2 Chinese arrested
THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently arrested three foreigners, one from New Zealand who is wanted in his country for sexually abusing children and two Chinese working without visas. In a statement, NBI said it arrested on Aug. 23 pedophile Alan James Linton at his residence in Valencia City, Bukidnon. BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente ordered the arrest of Linton following information from the New Zealand police that he resides in the country and has two convictions for charges of child exploitation. Meanwhile, the NBI in Catbalogan City, Samar arrested on Aug. 28 Wu Zhijie, 26, and Wu Jiajiang, 51, who were caught selling retail goods without proper working permit and visa. Mr. Morente issued a mission order for the arrest of the Chinese nationals following complaints from small Filipino traders alleging the foreigners “were robbing their business opportunities.” The three are currently detained pending deportation. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
Malacañang says it has accepted Clavite’s resignation
THE JULY 17 resignation letter of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Harold Clavite has been accepted by the President, Executive Secretary Salvador S. Medialdea said in a statement Monday. “Mr. Harold Clavite in his letter dated 17 July 2019 manifested his intention to submit his irrevocable resignation to the President citing personal reasons. He also said that he already gave 3 years to the country and it’s time for him to go back to his family. This was elevated to the President and thereafter accepted,” Mr. Medialdea said. “We recognize the service Mr. Clavite has rendered and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” he added. Mr. Clavite, however, said he did not submit a resignation letter to the President. “My July 17 letter was addressed to ES (executive secretary), not the President. While awaiting response, I did not send my resignation letter to the President,” he said, noting that Mr. Medialdea asked him not to resign after hearing his side on problems relating to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and PIA. “If they used that statement to make such decision, then I accept that. I just think it’s not fair that after hearing my side and asking me to write down all the details, they would do such without even talking to me. And now that I’m gone, what happens to those complaints I raised against PCOO and Mr. Benjamin Felipe? Is he gonna be rewarded now and become the new head of Agency?” Mr. Clavite said. Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar has designated Director Abner M. Caga as officer-in-charge of the PIA, according to a copy of his Department Order No. 008 obtained by BusinessWorld on Monday afternoon. — Arjay L. Balinbin
