News Briefs: June 24, 2019

Lawmen seize P160M fake cigarettes in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs-Enforcement and Security Service (BOC-ESS) has intercepted more than P160 million worth of fake cigarettes, cigarette-making machines and other smuggled goods in warehouses in Sta. Maria and Marilao, Bulacan.

Found inside the warehouse in Marilao, were 1,339 master cases of fake Mighty, Fortune, Hope, Belmont, Marlboro and Camel cigarettes valued at P40.170 million.

Later, nine cigarette-making machines and fake cigarette tax stamps worth P120 million were discovered inside in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. —Tina G. Santos

South Korean actor serenades fans in Tagalog

MANILA, Philippines — South Korean actor Park Bo-gum serenaded Filipino fans with a Tagalog song at a fan meet at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

The “Love in the Moonlight” star sang “Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat,” originally sung by Daniel Padilla.

Park’s Manila fanmeet was the final stop of his 2019 Asian tour, “May Your Every Day Be A Good Day.”

Korean travel writer found dead in Antipolo

MANILA, Philippines — The body of Korean travel writer and travel agency owner, Joo Yeong-wook, was found on Taktak Road in Antipolo City last week.

The Rizal provincial police chief, Col. Lou Evangelista, said a hotel key card was found in the victim’s underwear.

The key was for a room at I’M Hotel in Makati City where he was staying.

The Korean was found to have been using ride-hailing applications as his main means of transportation and the Rizal police are now working with Korean investigators.

Children of overstaying Pinoys in Israel can stay

MANILA, Philippines — Children of overstaying Filipino workers in Israel will be allowed to complete their school year, which will be completed by the end of the month, the Israeli government said in a statement on Sunday.

“Driven by humanitarian consideration, Population Immigration and Border Authority allows the children of the overstaying workers who are enrolled in schools to stay in the country until the end of the school year in Israel at the end of June,” the Israeli Embassy said in a statement.

The decision was made after the Department of Foreign Affairs appealed to Jerusalem to treat overstaying Filipinos in a “humane and sensitive manner,” as children may be involved.