Philippines Roundup: Mall heist, airport development, new adoption rule
Mall heist
On January 3, 2024, a criminal complaint for robbery was filed against five individuals accused of stealing approximately P35 million (around $62,966) worth of jewellery and money from a jewellery store and an automated teller machine (ATM) in a mall in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental. The suspects who were arrested, gained access to the mall by digging a hole underneath the sewer network and proceeded to forcibly open an ATM, stealing cash, and looting jewellery from Oro Italia Fine Jewelry Shop and another store, local media Sunstar reported.
American child molesters barred
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has barred entry to two American citizens, Zachary Tyler Thompson and Paul Neal Coltharp, both registered sex offenders (RSOs). BI Commissioner Normann Tansingco said that the individuals have been barred from entering the Philippines because they have been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, local media Philstar reported. Both individuals have been barred and flown to their countries and their names added to BI's blacklist of undesirable aliens.
Most wanted fugitive arrested
Quezon City Police announced on January 3 the successful arrest of the most wanted fugitive in the area, Marlon Maestre, in Barangay Bahay Toro on January 1. Police officers apprehended the 32-year-old fugitive along Shorthorn Street around 4:30 p.m. According to local media Philstar, the arrest was made due to a court-issued warrant for homicide. Following his capture, Maestre was taken to the Quezon City Police District's district special operations unit for documentation.
Airport Development
A House Committee on Appropriations, vice chairperson revealed on January 3 that 22 airports, including the Pag-Asa Island Airport, are set to receive fresh funding under the national government's 2024 Aviation Transport Infrastructure Program, local media Business Mirror reported. The specific funding allocations for each airport are outlined in the 2024 General Appropriations Law, amounting to a total of P7.5 billion (about $134,918,775.00). These funds are designated for the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of airports and navigational facilities, as well as equipment procurement.
New adoption rule
The Supreme Court recently ruled that petitions for adoption must obtain the consent of adopters' children aged 10 or older for the adoption to be deemed valid. The court emphasized that securing the consent of the adopter's other children is important for maintaining harmony among prospective siblings, ensuring that existing children are aware they will be sharing their parents' love and care with another individual, local media Manila Standard reported. The decision was promulgated on August 7 and made public on December 28.
