DUBAI // The father of a Filipina held since November on drug-related charges has called on the Philippine government to provide legal assistance for his daughter and two other detainees.
Athelo Empleo, 51, a foreman in Saudi Arabia, is the father of 25-year-old Cresilda Empleo, who is being held at Al Muraqqabat police station along with Jackie Lou Bacani and Rhodora Guisinga.
The women were arrested inside Hamarain Mall on November 10 after Ms Guisinga was found with a bag allegedly containing unspecified illegal drugs.
Ms Guisinga was charged with possessing drugs, while Ms Empleo and Ms Bacani were charged with criminal complicity.
They are due to appear at the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance for their second hearing on May 10.
"They did not have any lawyer and a consulate officer wasn't present at a hearing held on April 5," Mr Empleo said.
He has written letters requesting legal assistance from the Philippine department of foreign affairs (DFA), the Philippine president, Benigno Aquino, and the vice-president, Jejomar Binay.
Mr Empleo said his daughter sought a job in Dubai using a tourist visa. "She did it to support her two children who are now in primary school," he said. "We hope our government will act on my request."
According to a consular report, two representatives from the Philippine consulate in Dubai visited the women in Al Muraqqabat police station.
The report said an Arab man who was a friend of Ms Guisinga drove the three women to the mall where he gave Ms Guisinga a red plastic bag.
Ms Guisinga then left after telling her friends she had to meet someone. The two women were waiting for her to return when they were arrested by a CID officer as accomplices.
Mohammed Pukunum, the head of the assistance to nationals section at the consulate, attended a hearing on January 2 at which Ms Guisinga said Ms Bacani and Ms Empleo were not involved in the drug case, the report said.
Benito Valeriano, the consul-general in Dubai, this week told Migrante, a migrant rights group, that the women failed to qualify for legal assistance based on DFA guidelines.
However, John Leonard Monterona, Migrante's regional co-ordinator, said that Mr Valeriano had sent a request for aid and was waiting on the DFA's reply.
The Philippine consulate in Dubai has to seek approval from the DFA in Manila to provide a legal assistance fund for the women, which would enable them to hire a UAE-based defence lawyer.
The fund was created under the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, which provided stronger protection for expatriate Filipino workers. Priority is given to funding lawyers to defend overseas Filipinos facing the death penalty.
rruiz@thenational.ae
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3 (Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
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Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- 600-seat auditorium
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