A case of statutory rape?

We will never know whether the Norwegian citizen who was with his Filipino girlfriend is innocent or not as he has been positively identified as the man behind the abduction and killing of 6-year-old Ellah Joy Pique. Of course, we understand well enough that for many Filipino youngsters, a lot of white male Caucasian look very much alike. Hence the Philippine National Police (PNP) should check very carefully at the documents which just might show that he was out of the country when this incident happened. But if it can be ascertained that he was here, he should get a better alibi.

Yes, it’s been a week since the lifeless body of little Ellah was found thrown into a ravine. Who but the devil himself would do such a dastardly thing? But the police must do more to find the culprit and bring that couple to justice. Our children cower in fear that anyone can just abduct them and snuff their lives by the flick of their fingers. We hope that the police speed up their investigation into this senseless crime.

Meanwhile, I read that report from The Freeman about that 17-year-old girl who stabbed her Italian lover inside their condominium which is not far from my house. While this Italian is now confined at the Chong Hua Hospital, it should have alerted the PNP that a crime is being committed here, not just by the under-aged girl, but by the Italian national for having sex with a 17-year-old, which under our laws, is “Statutory Rape”! That’s the very law that put former Congressman Romeo Jalosjos in jail.

So my question is, what are the police waiting for? They should slap criminal charges against that Italian. This incident should alert our police officers that this incident isn’t isolated. How many more underaged Filipinas have sold themselves to foreign nationals? We’re now in the forefront of fighting a war against Human Trafficking and this is one case which certainly fits the description of a human trafficker.

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Finally, six months after the Aug. 23 Hong Kong hostage incident in Manila, which killed 8 tourists from the former Crown Colony, the Hong Kong government has begun its 25-day hearing before the Hong Kong’s Coroner’s Court. Obviously this is the result of the Hong Kong government’s total dissatisfaction with the way that the Aquino administration has handled, or should I say mishandled, the investigation of that embarrassing incident, aggravated by the fact that up to this time, no one has been fired for botching that rescues attempt.

This investigation would certainly be of interest to us because we will see how different is the Hong Kong Justice system, not to mention that they would do this in 25 days, while it has taken us more than six months to investigate that ugly incident. Yet, the Aquino government hasn’t done anything to put a closure into this incident.

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Did you know that in 2010 the New Zealand Food and Beverage Exports to the Philippines totaled approximately US$475 million, which is up by 30% as compared to the previous year? I guess we can attribute this to the aggressive marketing of the government of New Zealand and its Trade Commission to the Philippines. I was at the Radisson Blu for a presscon yesterday on “Experience New Zealand” to showcase New Zealand products in Cebu. Indeed, we’ve enjoyed New Zealand gourmet dishes complete with New Zealand’s fabulous wines to match the delicious lamb chops!

New Zealand Acting Trade Commissioner to the Philippines Amy Colayco told us, “New Zealand produce is a good match for Cebu, as it is a premier resort destination offering world class cuisine. This is why we are bringing the taste of New Zealand to here so Cebuanos can Experience New Zealand.” Indeed, Radisson Blu is partnering with New Zealand in this marketing effort for us to truly have a gastronomic taste of New Zealand.

They even brought celebrity chef Simon Gault (Masterchef New Zealand) to work with Radisson Blu’s own Ofir Yudilevich to create a menu which would be the highlight of the week-long buffet set-up at the Radisson’s Feria Restaurant. As I’ve always maintained, Cebu’s numerous Resorts and Hotels has truly made Cebu, not just a world class destination for foreign tourists, but it has also become one of Asia’s gastronomic destination.

There are many other things to see or know about New Zealand, that it has a robust film making industry where the famous movies, “The Lord of the Rings and Avatar” were filmed. I had a healthy exchange with New Zealand Ambassador Andrew Matheson on their film industry and was elated to know that somehow the New Zealand Film Industry is working together with the Bigfoot Group based in Cebu. Of course we cannot deny the role of Radisson Blu General Manager Grant Gaskin, a true blue New Zealander, in helping improve the ties between Cebu and New Zealand.