Fraud, falsification raps
vs RP mechanics dropped
Posted: 6:48 AM (Manila Time) | Jan. 10, 2003
INQ7.net
Lesser misdemeanor
The court also granted a lesser misdemeanor verdict to other Filipino defendants. Herman Bendoval and Remigio Guemo received a lesser misdemeanor verdict, on the condition that they will cooperate in the persecution of a Pol Saquilabon -- the alleged "mastermind" who took their money and provided them with fraudulent documents.
This man has reportedly victimized numerous Filipinos, some of whom are still working.
Meanwhile, another detainee, Herman Bendoval, 49, is now back with his family and is likely to get a working visa. His former employer Spirit Airlines is willing to rehire him, according to the Naffaa statement. Bendoval's wife is also an approved third-preference immigrant worker.
Naffaa regional officer and civil rights advocate Gus Mercado of Dallas, Texas reported in the Naffaa forum website that, unlike his other co-accused who had multiple charges, Bendoval was only charged with one count of using false documents. Bendoval is now free on personal recognizance and is back with his family.
Bendoval had earlier refused another offer from the prosecutors to be released in exchange for testifying against the three remaining Filipino detainees who were on trial.
"They have been my friends for a very long time, I cannot betray them," Bendoval said. "Besides, I really have nothing negative to say about any of them."
Another Filipino detainee, Solemno Picardal, the only one who falsely claimed that he was a US citizen and the only one with private attorneys, was also granted a misdemeanor in exchange for pointing to other Filipino illegal aliens still at large, and for testifying against his former co-workers at the trial.
Naffaa also released a statement disputing a report in a Manila-based newspaper that laid the blame on Mercado for allegedly causing delays in the adjudication of the "Texas 10," the Filipino airline mechanics who were arbitrarily arrested in Texas in a post-9/11 sweep of airports.
"These are unfounded allegations," Mercado said, commenting on the report. "We have, in fact, achieved a significant victory against all odds, with the release of five detainees before Christmas, with two more scheduled to be freed after the holidays. We are doing our best to help our fellow countrymen in distress."
"The authorities set the timetable, we don't," Mercado added. "Truth is, hard as it was for the detainees, the delay bought the defense team the much-needed time to research the case and prepare a viable defense strategy."
In expressing strong support for Mercado's advocacy on behalf of the Filipino detainees, Naffaa national chair Loida Nicolas-Lewis commended him for "championing the cause of our fellow Filipinos whose rights have been trampled upon as a result of overzealous enforcement of the Patriot Act by the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service). This is Naffaa's fight, as well, and we are determined to defend the basic rights of immigrants against government abuse."
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vs RP mechanics dropped
Posted: 6:48 AM (Manila Time) | Jan. 10, 2003
INQ7.net
Lesser misdemeanor
The court also granted a lesser misdemeanor verdict to other Filipino defendants. Herman Bendoval and Remigio Guemo received a lesser misdemeanor verdict, on the condition that they will cooperate in the persecution of a Pol Saquilabon -- the alleged "mastermind" who took their money and provided them with fraudulent documents.
This man has reportedly victimized numerous Filipinos, some of whom are still working.
Meanwhile, another detainee, Herman Bendoval, 49, is now back with his family and is likely to get a working visa. His former employer Spirit Airlines is willing to rehire him, according to the Naffaa statement. Bendoval's wife is also an approved third-preference immigrant worker.
Naffaa regional officer and civil rights advocate Gus Mercado of Dallas, Texas reported in the Naffaa forum website that, unlike his other co-accused who had multiple charges, Bendoval was only charged with one count of using false documents. Bendoval is now free on personal recognizance and is back with his family.
Bendoval had earlier refused another offer from the prosecutors to be released in exchange for testifying against the three remaining Filipino detainees who were on trial.
"They have been my friends for a very long time, I cannot betray them," Bendoval said. "Besides, I really have nothing negative to say about any of them."
Another Filipino detainee, Solemno Picardal, the only one who falsely claimed that he was a US citizen and the only one with private attorneys, was also granted a misdemeanor in exchange for pointing to other Filipino illegal aliens still at large, and for testifying against his former co-workers at the trial.
Naffaa also released a statement disputing a report in a Manila-based newspaper that laid the blame on Mercado for allegedly causing delays in the adjudication of the "Texas 10," the Filipino airline mechanics who were arbitrarily arrested in Texas in a post-9/11 sweep of airports.
"These are unfounded allegations," Mercado said, commenting on the report. "We have, in fact, achieved a significant victory against all odds, with the release of five detainees before Christmas, with two more scheduled to be freed after the holidays. We are doing our best to help our fellow countrymen in distress."
"The authorities set the timetable, we don't," Mercado added. "Truth is, hard as it was for the detainees, the delay bought the defense team the much-needed time to research the case and prepare a viable defense strategy."
In expressing strong support for Mercado's advocacy on behalf of the Filipino detainees, Naffaa national chair Loida Nicolas-Lewis commended him for "championing the cause of our fellow Filipinos whose rights have been trampled upon as a result of overzealous enforcement of the Patriot Act by the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service). This is Naffaa's fight, as well, and we are determined to defend the basic rights of immigrants against government abuse."
THIS IS HOW YOU GET CHEAP TICKETS.= LOW WAGES AND QUALITY EMPLOYEES...GOOD LUCK
