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Job trainings, burial scams proliferate during the pandemic
Consumer fraud is a shape-shifting demon that follows the headlines to target its prey, whether affluent or newly impoverished, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That was the key message from experts and consumer advocates speaking at a recent Federal Trade Commission Zoom conference for media and community stakeholders. The number of scams hasn’t increased because […]
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They’re killing activists in the PHL: Malaya Movement
A human rights group in the U.S. is condemning the killing of two grassroots organizers. Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis, National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant, was tortured before he was stabbed to death on August 10. Zara Alvarez, a human rights worker from KARAPATAN-Negros Island, was assassinated a week later. “The Malaya Movement […]
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Jersey City priest arrested for alleged sex crimes
On August 14, 2020, at approximately 11 a.m., Fr. Donato Cabardo, age 56, of Jersey City was arrested in connection with alleged sexual crimes that occurred in the rectory at St. Paul of the Cross Church where he is a diocesan priest. He surrendered to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City. Cabardo has […]
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The disappearance of trans FilAm Paula del Mundo: An unsolved mystery
By Cristina DC Pastor On September 15, 2019, Paula del Mundo, a trans nursing assistant, went missing at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. She was last seen walking aimlessly by the airport’s exit area wearing white shirt and lavender pants. It’s been almost a year since her disappearance, and her family to […]
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Alleged sex abuse of Filipino teen leads to arrest of N.Y. man
A Garden City, New York, man was charged on June 19, following an investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. The indictment filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York charges Thomas Blaha, 64, with traveling to the Philippines with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, sexual […]
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Well-liked NYPD Sgt. Chris Traumer announces retirement
By Wendell Gaa Having served the New York Police Department (NYPD) for 21 years, police officer Chris Traumer, recently retired with the distinguished rank of a sergeant. This towering 6’7 Filipino American is known to be one of the friendliest and most helpful law enforcement officials ever, one who has loyally served the City of […]
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The Pastillas Scandal and the sneaky ways to corruption
By Cristina DC Pastor There’s something sweet and savory about corruption in the Philippines. Some Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and personnel are said to be receiving P10,000 per from Chinese nationals entering the Philippines to illegally work in gaming casinos. The cash is bundled up and hidden in Pastillas wrappers, according to reports. I […]
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Quiboloy church officials indicted for trafficking, sham marriages
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A federal grand jury has charged three top administrators of a Philippines-based church with overseeing a labor trafficking scheme that forced church members to solicit donations for a bogus charity after the defendants illegally obtained visas and other immigration documents that allowed the workers to enter and remain in the United […]
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Who is Vilma Bautista and what exactly did she do?
By Cristina DC Pastor Her name is spoken of as if in a confidential whisper by some FilAms who know her — Filipinos with means, leaders of the community. There is nothing nouveau riche about knowing Vilma Hernandez Bautista. “Yeah, kilala ko siya,” shared a Manhattan woman who said their friendship goes way back […]