by MindaNews and VERA Files
Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) “encountered difficulties” with his United States visa and was held briefly when he arrived at the Los Angeles airport (LAX) with his family on April 26.
But ARMM Solicitor General Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi denied reports Ampatuan’s visa was canceled and that he was questioned for allegedly bringing with him $6 million.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin told VERA Files on Monday that the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles “did not disclose the reason for Ampatuans being held up in immigration.”
Ebdalin also said the Customs and Police Protection Office of LAX eventually allowed the governor entry into the US, and that Ampatuan is “due to leave LA for Manila 8 May.”
Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ed Malaya said the ARMM governor “indicated his desire to find out through appropriate channels the reason for cancellation of his visa.” The DFA said it was still “gathering more information about the incident.”
Ampatuan belongs to the powerful political clan that rules Maguindanao. His father Andal Ampatuan was a three-term governor of the province. The elder Ampatuan resigned recently after the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the creation of Shariff Kabunsuan, a province carved out of Maguindanao. Another Ampatuan son, Sajid, who was Maguindanao vice governor, took over his father’s position.
The ARMM governor took his family to the U.S. for a medical checkup. With him was a son who had previously undergone heart surgery and was scheduled for his annual medical visit. Sources said part of the Ampatuan entourage was Dr.Tahir Sulaik, ARMM secretary of health, but could not say exactly how many members of the family were with the governor.
“That’s negative,” said Sayadi about reports of Ampatuan being held at LAX and his visa canceled. “Kung totoo po ang balita, na-news na po sana yan sa U.S. We are actually wondering saan nanggaling yung news eh. Nakakausap namin si RG (Regional Governor). Wala naman daw ganyang pangyayari (If that were true, that should have made news in the U.S. We are actually wondering where that news came from. We spoke with the Regional Governor. Nothing of that sort happened).”
MindaNews sought clarification from the U.S. Embassy in Manila but deputy spokesperson Karen Schinnerer would only say, “For privacy reasons, we do not comment on individual visa cases.”
The website of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles does not contain any news item about Ampatuan being held at LAX or having encountered difficulties with his visa.
Sayadi said Ampatuan’s visa was “not canceled” and “not expired.” She said there was a computer “bar down” (glitch) and Ampatuan’s name could not be located immediately. Schinnerer refused to comment on the reported computer glitch.
Sources said that the governor and Sulaik were carrying diplomatic passports, but Sayadi denied this.
The elder Ampatuan was reportedly planning to follow his son to the U.S. to watch Manny Pacquiao’s Sunday fight against Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.
But the patriarch’s trip did not push, Sayadi said, “because there was some problem in Maguindanao. There were skirmishes and it is not good to leave the area just because of boxing.”
Sayadi said the elder Ampatuan watched the Pacquiao fight on television in Maguindanao with his son Sajid. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews and Ellen Tordesillas/VERA Files)
Another government crook caught in the US. It appears that the US authorities are now hot on Filipino officials traveling there. Would it also happen to FG Mike Pidal if he goes there again? The record shows the Big Pig has not traveled to the US for the last two years. The last one was when he faked illness and landed at Japan Airport.
BE, mahigpit talaga si Obama ngayon. He is even after US citizens who are depositing their monies in other countries.
I think too, it is Ampatuan’s origin that raised the red flag. I do not really know if Ampatuan looks like a Moslem (bearded or not). He may just be a victim of profiling.
Ellen, if indeed, Ampatuan was carrying that big amount, he would not have been let go easily. He would have been detained immediately!
I was told he was given a “Parole visa” . I still have to find out what a “parole visa” means besides it being temporary.
ang yaman talaga ang ilan sa mga congressman and governors sa atin..was he allowed to bring that much?..paano siya nakalsot? ano ang naideclare niya? medical check up sa America pa..though nandito ako tuwing uwi ko nagpapacheck ako sa PGH..mas may tiwala ako sa PGH…mahirap talaga ang mahirap…
Ano ang ibig sabihin ng Autonomous Region..they have their own government and different laws?
Rose, sa totoo lang, magaling pa rin tayo sa medicine. Dito sa US, gusto lahat operahan o palitan. Doctors here are almost always recommending treatments and operations that are not even necessary.
ps: sinabi mo..at the height of rain and wind two weeks ago..my foot got caught sa door and I had a big cut on my heel..24 stitches lahat..I was taken to the medical center and they attended to me..but I was told to go to my primary doctor, who told me to see a foot doctor..and an MRI was to be done..ang sbi ng foot doctor hindi nakailangan ang MRI pero pinababalik ako at pinapunta sa MRI..because the Imaging company will not accept my insurance card two weeks na wala paring MRI..kasi yong transportation co. will not accept my card too..samantalang may mga imaging companies naman sa JC..bakit pa sa Hackensack na malayo?..grabe!
What is Humanitarian Parole?
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security may, in his discretion, parole into the United States temporarily, under such conditions as he may prescribe on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, any alien applying for entry to the United States.
Humanitarian Parole cannot be used to circumvent normal visa-issuing procedures, nor as an instrument to bypass preference immigrant visa availability or processing for refugee status. Absent urgent circumstances, unless all other legal immigration avenues (such as applying for a non-immigrant visa) have first been exhausted by an alien, parole will not be approved. Parole is an extraordinary measure, sparingly used to bring an otherwise inadmissible alien into the United States for a temporary period of time due to a very compelling emergency.(Source-USCIS)
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Take note: INADMISSIBLE alien si Zaldy Ampatuan, hehehe!
Yaiks Rose! Naramdaman ko yung sakit ng sugat mo. Nabalian din ako ng buto late last year and until now, am still recovering. Lahat na ng tests ginawa. Magastos talaga.
That could be just profiling or could be questioning for perhaps an explanation for “extra Load”. Passport now specifically indicate the town and province of Birth and that will raise Flag when entering the U.S. border from any point. But my guess is the U.S. now is very, very strict with the movement of ‘unexplained’ or otherwise unlaundered cash, especially when it invested Billions in Banks for their Sins.
A governor of a big region should know that he needs a visa to gain entry to the US. Besides, hindi ba niya alam ang nangyari sa mga euro generals? Hindi siya dapat magdala ng mas marami pa sa $ 10000. Bakit kailangan pang magdala ng perang ganyan kalaki. Bakit hindi na lang sila magbukas ng bangko na may dollar account. This way, they can withdraw any money all over the world.
Vic, isn’t it in Canada there’s such a thing as Humanitarian and Compassionate Ground in legalizing one’s stay?
paano nila nadadala ang ganong kalaking halaga..in cash (big dominations)? sa attache case? in US$? grabe!
paano nila nadadala ang ganong kalaking halaga..in cash (big denominations)? sa attache case? in US$? grabe!
$6 million cash in his possession? Kasing laki ng damulag ang kagaguhan niyan.$10,000 lang ang allowed,kapag $10,001 na may under investigation na,kaya mas maganda para safe sa custom ay $9,999 na lang ang dalhin,may mga plastic naman at ATM card.Safe pa,May Western Union naman sa lahat ng sulok ng mundo.May magandang ginawa pa sana ni Amputan ay inilagay niya sa Balikbayan boxes ang $6 M at ipa door to door sa akin at baka maging bestfriend pa kami.
Ano ang gagawin niya sa ganyang kalaking halaga dito sa LA.baka bibili siya ng mansion sa Beverly Hill o kaya’y sa Bel-Air.Iyung nabiling mansion ni Pacquiao ay $2.1 m lang daw.Tatlong suntok lang ni Hatton sa mukha niya.
Kaya pala maraming naghihirap sa Mindanao dahil kinokolekta nila ang pera doon.Sabagay lucrative business ang kidnap for ransom sa Mindanao.
Grabe yan si Ampatuan! Isa sa pinaka swerte sa mga alipores ni Evil Bitch! Kung bumili ng mga luxury cars yan, lahat dalawa, para decoy yung isa. Kung mag check in sila sa hotel dito sa manila, buong floor ang kinukuha pati sa mga alagad at bodyguards niya. At kung magbayad sa mga binibili niya, bayong-bayong nga pera na naka plastic pa!
Talaga nga naman, ang ordinaryong pinoy hirap na hirap mapakain lamang ang pamilya pero ang mga alagad ni Arroyo umaapaw ang pera!!!
Rose,
you need to consult an Injury Lawyer and sue the door.The insurance company will compensate you for your pain and sufferings,time lost and potential future earnings.hehehehe!
This morning I went to the bank to cash my monthly pension,the person ahead of me cleaned up the cash in the teller window.Mexican dude who has a protective gear on his neck cash in a bundle of hundred dollar bills big settlement on his whiplash fender binder car accident.
I still doubt that Ampatuan was released if he was carrying that large sum. There is no way he will be able to go back to Mindanao. The reason for his being held up may be something else. Hindi naman malakas si pandak sa US. They already know her corrupt ways. All their eyes are on Filipinos in high positions who travel in and out of the US.
Homeless Korean dies with 100,000 dollars in bank
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/classified-odd/05/06/09/
Kung sa Pilipinas nangyari ang ganito, aling aso kaya ang makikinabang?
Ano naman ang naging reaksyon ng cousin-in-law na si Noliboy, na nandoon din? Teka, sana isama na rin si Kabayad, para walang kandidato ang administrasyon!
Tawagin si Mussomeli, itimbre sa US INS, dali!
I’m from Maguindanao. I don’t doubt that Ampatuan has that big amount of money. If we call politicians from Manila “kapal ang mukha”, this Ampatuan is much worse,even a “bullet proof face” adjective is not enough to describe how they act as a public servant. Davaoenos know how large is their security convoy when travelling around the city, how large are their palaces in Davao city..They can even penetrate Davao City International airport by smuggling loads of high power firearms into the airplane thereby endangering the safety of other passengers. I don’t know why mayor Duterte is mum on this issue and there was a news blackout!!!
Take note that the story does not say that there was confirmation that he was carrying $6 million.
The story says: “But ARMM Solicitor General Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi denied reports Ampatuan’s visa was canceled and that he was questioned for allegedly bringing with him $6 million.”
Baka monopoly money ang dala nila at gustong bilhin ang Park Ave. sa Manhattan..pero naharang sila sa Go to Jail..I used to work at the St. Joseph’s School for the blind..the day after the Phil Rizzuto Golf Tournament..dinala ko ang deposits in loose change..proceeds from Mulligan bets..only $10,000 cash can be deposited..akala ko naisahan ko sila kasi I made several deposit slips of $9,500.00 each. Inilagay ko sa brown bags at palakadlakad ako..after I deposited the amounts..hindi pa ako naabot sa St. Joe’s may tumawag sa Business Manager naming madre (my boss) kung sino daw ang nagdeposit ng ganong halaga from St. Joe’s. mantakin mo pinagbintangan ba si St. Joseph na nag money laundering. Mahigpit..
PSB, unofficial reason was computer glitch in Washington D.C. which caused the misclassification of his visa as “cancelled.”
I think there is basis for doubting the $6 million angle. One,that would be maleta-maleta considering that the highest dollar denomination now is $100.
Also, it was only the governor that was held briefly.
Cocoy: thanks for the advice..I know I could sue the store who happens to be a friend..for the accident but there was no negligence on their part. It was raining and as I entered their store, and as I tried to close my umrella and as I released my other hand holding the umbrella humangin ng malakas and the wind slammed the door thus naabot ang paa ko..I do have an accident insurance..that probably wlll reimburse me..Ang sabi ko it was a fortuitous event..an act of God..kaya noong na pa daan ako sa Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament..and dasal ko..”Lord ang sabi, ng mga kaibigan ko mag sue daw ako..bahala ka na sa akin.” Years back I worked for AIG in the accounting dept. kaya alam ko ang
pasikot sikot on how to file a claim that one can get the most..it is a vicious circle..and personally I feel that insurance is a legalized racket..
ms ellen, off topic what happened to the euro generals pala? parang ala ng balita tungkol sa kaso nila? sana di galing sa kaban ng bayan yung dalang pera ni ampatuan..
Everytime gloria’s ass licking dogs go out of the country, they always say they are traveling at their own expense but considering the amount of ticket plus their would be billeting, it does not take to be a genius to understand these leeches are not fool enough to spend their own. What about their allowances? Each must be spending millions of pesos and where would they get it?
Oh, I forgot, they share the coffers with the bitch!
The Euro Generals case has no closure yet, then here comes another again. I’m reminded of then Sen. Tito Soto’s wife Helen Gamboa carrying lots of dollars to the US.
BE, yes there is, but the process is quite complex and the decision is political, not judicial. But the grounds should be compelling and the person requesting compassionate and humanitarian stay should not be a fugitive from justice from a functioning recognized Government.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/629718
check this link, a very interesting development..two Filipino Caregivers alleged in their complaints and published by theStar in their Series of Investigative Reporting on Exploitation of Nannies and Cargivers, about the Mistreatment of their Employee, a very Popular fast-rising, Young, first ever Sikh and very Pretty ex-Bolywood sometimes movie Star, Ruby Dhalla and she is in DEEP Trouble.
Forgot to mentioned that miss Dhalla is a Member of the Parliament and the opposition critique on Multiculturalism and something else…but since yesterday, she has not shown her pretty Face in the House of Commons…
In any US port of entries, the Ampatuans are only ordinary people subject to profiling, they do not carry any weight/power. There’s no surprise really if Gov. Ampatuan was subjected to questioning. Mas OK sana if he underwent cavity search. Walang makikita sa kanya kundi wala pala siyang balls, o kaya ay napitpit na ni Gloria ang kanyang balls!
Villafuerte’s Cha-cha moves one step forward
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/06/09/
Baka makalingatan natin ito at nagiging focused tayo sa mga kabalbalan sa labas ng mga aso?
Bukas makalawa ay hindi na tinikling ang pambansang sayaw, lagot tayo. Lalong hindi salsa at lalong hindi maaaring tango.
(UPDATE) Ex-SEC commissioner Martinez passes away
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/06/09/
It must be one of God’s mysterious ways of punishing a sinner.
Who are we to say NO if He cuts short our stay on earth?
The CPP-NPA-NDF Are supporting Lozada’s cause.
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/cgi-bin/statements/releases.pl?refer=kr;date=090430;lang=eng
From Manong Ernie’s MR. EXPOSE:
Official Mission?
…….The Philippine Star carried a big picture of GMA in front of the sphinx and the pyramids in Egypt which goes to show that her foreign trips are not all work. The picture is quite appropriate because GMA can rightfully be given the title of the Philippine sphinx as the ancient Greeks described it as a female monster and strangler…
http://www.tribune.net.ph/20090506/commentary/20090506com4.html
May order na ang korte ni Gloria na sampahan ng criminal charge sina Samuel Ong and driver Angelito Santiago, Rez Cortez, Sgt. Vidal, Dobleon, businessman Wilson Fenix, “after the Court of Appeals (CA) yesterday overturned a lower court’s decision to dismiss a case filed by the government against them”. (source-tribune)
Nananakot na naman ang tunay na kriminal! Yung mga Garci Generals, si Garci mismo, Abalos, Mike Defensor, Bunye at etc. pa na tunay na sangkot sa Hello Garci ay namamayagpag sa labas samantalang ang mga nagsabi ang nag-report ng katotohanan ay ipinadadakip sa moro-morong criminal charges.
Teka, bakit hindi kasama ang kaibigan ko na Bishop Soc Villegas e s’ya ang kasama ni Doble sa helecopter na nagdala kay Doble kay (sino na nga ba ang Gloria Garci General na yun?)?
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Si Jun Lozada raw ay naospital, hirap huminga. Poor JL, nahika na sa stress na sa init at problema sa bilangguan ni Gloria.
Gloria is already isolated along with her allies kaya madali na natin siya matatalo. (:
But Vic, how far would that Pinay caregiver case go? What’s the Fil-Canadian community group doing over there?
I pray that every crook will depart sincerely and permanently and bring all the money they amassed. And I hope, Obama throw away all these crooks and even TNTs. Send them all to Gitmo.
Send crooks away…okay…but not TNTs especially those who became illegal due to economic reason.
DFA officials seriously doubt the Ampatuan was carry $6 million. Based on pst incidents like the ones involving the wife and sons of Gen. Garcia and Joc-joc Bolante, US authorities would have no qualms of detaining foreigners who violate their laws.
Much more now when the US administration is not really a great admirer of the Arroyo administration.
They said no mention of $6 million. “Wala yun,” the said.
BTW, the Ampatuan entourage numbered 22.
BE, I posted in the newer subject, the updates of the case..the MP already quit her critique post for the opposition and the next step is for the Party upon completing their own investigation is either to expel her out of the Caucus (they can not force her to give up her seat as she was elected by her constituents)or not nominate her as party candidate and if the Inquiry found her to have broken the Law, then she will be Tried Like any Individual and probably with a little more attention from the Media as being a High Government Official… But My Bet is that, even she will be advised by her Family to stick it out, She will Resign and that is Sad, because being a Member of the Minority, she is a shining example that member of minorities could someday becomes a Party Leader and PM.
They caregivers case is looked after by the non-profit organization INTERCED, an organization of former nannies and caregivers who formed themselves with financing from the Government Agencies to protect their own. Many of its Members are Filipinos. It is always better to bring the issues here to our elected politician as I experienced last week…I wrote my council member about the issue of traffic safety concern and he immediately forwarded the Matter to the Safety Services and told me to expect his updates on the issue. And He DID…
Ellen, I have a hunch that it is more of profiling than anything. Anyone who matches “certain look” may be subjected to more scrutiny.
Interesting blogs.
I thought you would be interested in a link exchange with our news discussions site.
The site is http://www.philippinebeat.com
Anyone who matches “certain look” may be subjected to more scrutiny. -PSB
PSB,
Korek ka. Sa Marco Polo airport last week, a super guapo Italiano in a suit was subjected to a “more scrutiny”. Same with Zaldy Ampatuan…the opposite nga lang why he was searched more, super pangit. hehehe!
Chi, sa laki ng tiyan niya, baka akala eh may dala siyang…alam mo na.
It could also be he’s a Muslim. As usual, the US is strict with Muslim sounding names and looks.