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Do you remember British detained?

Discussion in 'General Chit Chat' started by Januarius, Jan 26, 2011.

  1. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    I agree with you in a way Keith..The thing is its gonna be 50 years or more and a handful of future corruption busting presidents to kill corruption here..(very doubtful IMO.) So what else can we do? Dont forget that they are charged with illegal recruitment which is a non bailable offence.
    Im pretty certain they are in San Mateo but I will ask for this to be confirmed if possible..

    This was his last post about my cheaper lawyer with scruples idea and letters to foreign press editors once we ascertain the facts..

    Yes,like i said,pressure from outside is the only way to change things here,stop the tourist,foreign investor and things will change quickly.
    Alfred did not go see them personally,it was a General friend "key" of Alfred's that found them and report their condition.
    I can tell you that the money will be used to pay for a lawyer and to open "doors"
    which require "keys", which like to be "appreciated" which is as much as we will ever know.That is the system here,i don't like it anymore than the next person and if i had of known that before i came to this place over six years ago,i would NOT be here today.
    I would be more comfortable with Mr Lehnerd's choice of lawyer as he knows and works with the ones who have a high rate of success. Like an old proverb says ,"don't throw pearls at pigs". Or be bled dry by an incompetent lawyer.
  2. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    Its a major reason im not moving to the Phils to Fred Im grateful for my apprenticeship
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. florgeW
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    florgeW Lady Mod Senior Member

    not all keys can open the right door... money may lead you somewhere but you'll just end up paying more and more.. but if you know people and have the right connections, it may go somewhere... i have shared this story to my dad once... during the heat of the moment.. while they were still free... i even offered help (which could have prevented her going to jail) and recommended a lawyer - family friend - as I didn't really like her lawyer's strategy at that time...

    i can ask my sister and brother if they know people who can help... my sister's practicing in davao now though so all she can do is ask help from her lawyer friends in manila.. she has a friend who's the associate lawyer of Atty. Fortun (the younger one).. maybe they would like to take this case on as this case can be controversial.. and he like controversial cases... adds to his popularity... let's not go ask help from the older Fortun as he doesn't really like our family at the moment (one of the many ampatuan cases are in my dad's sala) LOL
  4. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    [​IMG]

    Keep fighting for Kevin, imprisoned without trial in Philippines
    11:20am Tuesday 1st February 2011

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    THE mother of a man who has been imprisoned without trial in the Philippines for almost two years has spoken of her heartbreak.

    Marie Taylor’s comments come as members of the Cebu BritClub, an online group for Brits in the Philippines, launched an online campaign to try and help free 45-year-old Kevin Taylor.

    Mrs Taylor, of Stratton, said the father-of-three had been forced to endure horrific conditions since he was thrown in the San Mateo Municipal Jail, in Rizal, in May 2009.

    She added that his health was starting to deterioate including failing eyesight.

    “Kevin has to sleep on the floor on a piece of cardboard because there is no bed. It is demoralising,” said the 67-year-old, who is married to Gerald, 70.

    “If a Filipino was arrested here he would be treated humanely. Over there they do not treat prisoners like they do a dog.

    “We phone him once a week and he says he stinks because he is not able to wash or change his clothes and he is very, very low. It is not a happy situation.”

    Kevin and his partner Charlene Tambago were arrested for offences relating to illegal recruitment but since their arrest almost two years ago the pair still have not gone to trial with hearing being repeatedly deferred.

    “There has been a hearing every month for the past two years,” said Mrs Taylor.

    “There was one last week but it was deferred. Last time the complainants didn’t turn up, so it was postponed again. Another hearing is due on Thursday or Friday this week.”

    And she fears if her son’s case goes to trial and he is sentenced, the time he has already spent in jail will not count and he will have to start his sentence from scratch enduring even more years of hardship.

    “We have had no help from anyone. We have had one letter from our MP Justin Tomlinson when he first came into office saying he would do what he could but we have not heard a thing from him. I am disappointed,” she said.

    However, she said that the group Prisoners Abroad has been fantastic and goes to see him as often as possible.

    The latest offer of help has come in the shape of Harry Plant, of Durham, who is a member of the Cebu BritClub.

    He became aware of Kevin’s plight earlier this month and has posted messages on the club’s online forum asking for more information and trying to rally up the troops to help - whether that is by helping with legal represention, food, money, clothes or medical supplies.

    “It has snowballed over the last few days and I felt we should contact the local paper the Swindon Advertiser to see what you know,” said Harry.

    “Let’s find out whether our proposed involvement would be welcome or advisable.”

    The Free Kevin Taylor campaign is now online. To find out more log on to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Help_Kevin_Taylor/
  5. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    Harry`s onto a national paper now...He`s asked to do this alone in case they want exclusive..
    Lets hope they bite..
  6. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    good oh fred:like:
  7. Aromulus
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    Aromulus The Don Staff Member

    Something is moving then....
  8. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    Florge..
    From what Kev`s parents say the two of them have had many many court appearances over a two year period but all have been adjourned due to the Prosecution complainants NOT turning up..
    In most countries the case would be thrown out for lack of evidence and Im sure it must be the same in the R.P?
    Your thoughts.
    Kevins father George is now reading and replying to some of our group messages so Kev and Charlene now know that we are thinking of them..
    Hopefully a moral boost at the very least.
  9. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    Well that would be the case in a civilised country
  10. florgeW
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    florgeW Lady Mod Senior Member

    yeah.. that should be the case in Pinas as well.... bit it is difficult to tell without seeing the documents ...
  11. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    quick update..

    One of the members of the yahoo group.. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...aylor/messages
    went and visited Kev and Charlene!
    Here`s what he discovered..



    So after following the news about Kevin since about 2 weeks back I decided there was enough sitting on our hands being done and did muster the courage to go pay him a visit.
    I say muster the courage because I could have very well ended up detained myself, or that was on my mind anyway.


    So, arrived in Manila just before noon and the 1 st challenge had been to find a taxi willing to go all the way to San mateo, but I think good karma allowed me to get a taxi with a guy who knew where the jail was and was willing to wait for me whilst I did chat with Kevin and Charlene.

    So we pick-up some burgers and jollibee chicken as I recall Charlene writing that it's kevin's choice of outside food (would be mine too if I was detained)

    We then reach the jail and I'm sceptical as it looks nothing like a jail (I was expecting something like we see in the movies) dang, it even has karenderia at the front and signs for iron works all over the gate.

    Anyhow, I walk over to the gate and the wardens welcome me inside, the feeling is not of penitential mood but much more relax, inmates already shouting kevin's name by then as they all have view on the gate.

    The wardens take my ID and cellphone and ask me to sign the blotter.
    No search, no patting down, no metal detectors, it's now confirmed, I have the face of a saint ;-)

    I now enter the central court where many inmates are having their visitors, all eyes on me of course.
    Again, the feeling is not as I'd have imagined being in a jail, many wives are there to visit (some husbands too, there are 22 females and 196 males there) kids playing around, everyone eating as it's lunchtime.

    - Kevin's condition:
    First time I met him so it's not easy to tell, but from the few pictures of him online it's obvious he lost weight, he said he actually went down to 62kg in the 1st year, but is now 70kg.
    It's confirmed that he lost 1 eye from diabetes and the 2nd one looks kinda veiled with White glaze.
    He never see a doc although he did see the jail nurse occasionally.
    He does look weak and somewhat much older than his real age.
    His spirit seems quite okay but might have to do with getting a 1st visit by a foreigner in nearly 2 years, also my visit allowed him to see Charlene, it's obvious those two are dearly in love!

    -Charlene's condition:
    She was limping heavily when we went up to the lady's visitor bench, she later told both me and Kevin that she was made to do 200 crunches by the guards, reason being that "someone" sent a complaint to the head warden and this was her punishment, Kevin did feel very upset about this obviously, they also mentioned that she gets harassed a lot and receive suggestive Love letters from other inmates and constantly subjected to "words" that Kevin doesn't understand.
    She does also suffer from diabetes and needs insulin on a daily bases.

    - the kids and Charlene's family:
    Kids are SAFE!!!
    They have been split to several members of the family, both of Kevin's biological children are with Charlene's sister, children of Charlene are with her previous in-laws,
    Now this is where it gets weird, Charlene's sister does not visit anymore, Charlene's family have now said they don't want anything to do with criminals,
    The eldest of Charlene's daughter used to visit but it was motivated by money, every-time Kevin's dad would send cash this daughter would do the groceries for say 1500 php and keep the 500 change, sad way to treat a mother right?
    Their last visit from the daughter was January 2, last visit from the sister: a year ago!
    (anyone in contact with the sister, please just observe status quo/silence, they aren't in speaking terms but she still has Kevin's 2 kids, Kevin said they will sort things out when they get released, for now it's the best situation one could expect, better than adoption!)

    -Their needs:
    Boredom is the main enemy, bibles are in Tagalog and the only English book available is Harry Potter, Kevin read that 10 times already.So,
    1) BOOKS: loads of them!
    2) Clothes: shorts, underwears, and Yellow colour T-Shirts only, they are only allowed bright yellow tops.(XL and L sizes)
    3) Razors, shaving foam, soap, toothpaste, shampoo....all the stuff needed to keep clean on a daily basis
    4) ideally Kevin would need to see a doctor, cost for this (doc+transport) has been placed at 3000Php
    5) Charlene did mention that Kevin could use ointment named Caladril as he sleeps on plywood in a nasty cell and gets rashes.

    those are basic stuff that would be highly appreciated by both of them.

    from my side i did ask if giving him a piece of foam for bedding would be fine and he said yes, they will just have to bribe a guard to smuggle it in.

    the food is appalling as you can imagine but for those who can afford their own groceries they are actually entitled to cook their own food, so the way it works there is that when Kevin's dad send money they cook and feed selected inmates, then they get food from those inmates, on a rotation basis if you like, depending on who's got money.

    Charlene mentioned Prisoners abroad, but contrary to what i thought they don't actually go visit there in person, they just send cash through LBC. (money donations can be given to them that way, but will have to be a trickle as Kevin said that the money has to be counted by the wardens and within 5 minutes the whole jail knows how much he has with him, with loans and "fees" being submitted to him non-stop)

    last September 20th the other staff got out of jail, on bail, when i questioned the fact that their offense is non bailable Kevin said the staff did forward a request to the judge and it was granted.


    that's about it really.

    from my side i will be planning another visit to Kevin next week, possibly Thursday, and that will be my last trip to see him (i hope) as I'm not coming back to Philippines for the next year or so.

    i was one of the first to pledge money to help him, then when i saw that there was a lot of talk but no action i went ahead and did it, without drumming it up beforehand.

    i could have never been cheeky enough to say that i would go if peoples paid my flight, 2 night hotel expenses and bribe money like some have done on here, i think that's sick to make those type of offer, either you help or you don't, but disguising help to Kevin and Charlene as a "free weekend in manila all expenses paid" is just disgusting.

    i couldn't care less if they are guilty of the crime, my motivation was fueled by empathy, i just got a daughter 2 weeks ago and trying to put myself in Kevin's shoes for a moment just riped me apart, anyone with the slightest amount of empathy would have done just like i did today.

    Now, i'm not a rich man, if i was i would have helped more, so if anyone who did pledge a few weeks back or would like to contribute to this week and next week's expenses all are welcome.

    if you don't want or can't send money, you can send a book, a pair of slippers, even just 1 piece of razor or soap.

    i know we can get things collected somewhere here in Cebu and i'll gladly bring those to Kevin.

    my expenses for today were:
    - 1206 Php for the taxi fare (receipt shows 1006 but had to add 200 for the driver to agree going that far and wait at the jail, which seems fair enough)
    - 585 Php for the food


    i expect much of the same for next week, so donations will be appreciated, thanks

    David
    (Kevin did see the funny side about the Frenchman helping out the Englishman, we all know the cross-channel poking is just friendly banter, we're all brothers, especially in hard time!)
    • Like Like x 1
  12. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    That is quite moving Fred.

    So good that someone has seen them at last.
  13. florgeW
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    florgeW Lady Mod Senior Member

    any news on what their lawyer(s) next step(s)?
  14. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    I had just read that and copied it to post here your quick on the draw fred:like:
  15. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    If I wasn't stuck here with the kids on my own I would have visited them myself by now..
    David didnt mention anything about the legal stuff but from what I hear they should have been tried and judged within 180 days..
    Gotta go..brown out and low batt!
  16. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    for me that will only happen if i end up needing to go to Manila on visa business its a long haul from the sticks looks like more visits are planned though
  17. Januarius
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    Januarius Member


    Yeheeey!! Powers back on!! Yes Keith,I was pretty damned quick wasn't I !! No worries..I`ll let you beat me next time!!
    ..

    Oh BTW.. David is making one more visit to San Mateo on Thursday before leaving the R.P..
    Any donations can be sent by Western Union to David Miras
    collected at the Ayala Mall branch of Cebu City
  18. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    we could go for our honeymoon:erm:
  19. Januarius
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    Januarius Member

    A Letter from Charlene.


    ;)
    To the group from Charlene 17 feb 2011
    Dear all,
    God be with you! Thank you so much for your support and for those who kept us
    going. It was a nice surprise to know that we are still remembered and that many
    others are with a kind heart to help us.

    It's been almost two years now since Kevin and I are incarcerated , we have been
    through a lot of hell and pain while in here. We have almost lost our lives
    during the typhoon, been very ill and mentally drain. But during the time that
    Kevin and I almost loosing every bit of our hope you guys came along and that is
    SOMETHING we are so grateful about. My tears and my broken hearty was filled
    with joy as you have given us the care, love and hope we needed.

    Thanks you so much for being so kind to us both inspite of us being strangers.
    Thanks you for the things you given us as it was a big help honestly. Things
    that we are not expecting from people who are strangers things that are so
    important for us to survive. Thank you so much.

    Honestly, everyday as I wake up, first thing I think I am worried about is how
    will Kevin get food, that really hurts me especially when he sends letters
    asking if I have some food and I can't give him anything as I myself doesn't
    have as well. It almost broken my heart when the food supply is fish as I know
    he can't eat it and he will go hungry again.

    I feel useless when a simple disposable razor and a hair cut for him he can't
    have as we have nothing. For the past year we tired to survive form everything
    we can get through donations and Dad's help. Many times we just cry as we are so
    shy already to ask Dad But now we are so grateful to have you guys. Not only for
    the things you can give us but also for the moral support and care we needed.
    May the Lord God always return all the favours and blessings you have given to
    us. You all gave so much to us.

    I thought the blogs that I made before I came in here were forgotten. I thought
    there is no miracles. But with what happened, it is truly God's own will and by
    using all of you . MIRACLES are true. Kevin and I will loose hope especially now
    that we know many are fighting for us to survive. I also hope that you will
    continue supporting us and help us pray for our children, for us both and that
    our case will soon be dismissed. Let you always join us every night to pray for
    God's help and his guidance for us while we are fighting and may HE continue
    giving us the strength and hope. Thanks you again and God Bless you all.
    Yours
    Charlene Taylor
    Detainee
    San Mateo Jail

    This is what I want to share to you all. A prayer that keeps me going and that
    reminds me God is always there
    Dear God
    Blessed be thy Lord God for keeping me sound and safe. I lift unto you all my
    woes and grace upon me your mercy. I understand that you have better plans for
    me yet I will keep on asking you to help me through.

    This place I call my own which I don't intend to stay long. While my journey of
    going home is still far. Keep me warm and safe from danger and to my detractors.
    Cover my children with your loving heart that they will understand the
    situation. Guide their young minds for them not to bitter but help them be a
    better individuals. Remind me how I was chosen to have this ordeal so i will
    never forget what you have promised. I raise on to you all my anxieties and
    return to me your graces. Help me change for as better "me" so when the time
    comes that the gate will open I can walk home with a good heart.

    For whatever will happen to us both, I know someday we can be with our children.
    Prepare them for everything Lord and so I am to be strong. Calm my heart when I
    am lost - show me the road to your promise.

    Lord God open my heart always. I will hold on to you forever, sorry as I have
    failed you many times, but I promise, I am still the same child you have brought
    up

    Guide me when I am asleep and when I am awake remind me that you will redeem
    me.
    AMEN
    • Winner Winner x 1
  20. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Went up to visit Kevin today, am a bit tired now and will write more later, very long journey.

    He's ok but feverish today and depressed in general and I mean real depressed not the kind that we usually talk about in the UK.

    He was happy to see a fellow Brit and we chatted for an hour, unluckily Monday is not a visitor day so we had to talk to each other through the bars at the gate.

    He's optimistic about his next case on Wednesday and hopeful it will all be over next month but you know the way they do things over there.

    They would not let me take a picture but somebody senior in the prison took my camera and took a shot for me, I said to his dad that I would try to get a picture for him and Kev's mum. Sorry not a great picture settings were all wrong :(

    As I said I will write more later and post on the yahoo site later too.

    [​IMG]
    • Winner Winner x 1

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