The Bureau of Immigration (BI) shared that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIADITG) successfully intercepted a female Canadian carrying illegal substances, on Thursday afternoon.
In a report to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, BI Anti-Terrorist Group (ATG) shared that the suspect, identified by the BI as Wendy Jane Marais, 64 years old, was successfully stopped by the NAIADITG after receiving intelligence information about an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs.
Marais arrived on board a Japan Airlines flight from Mexico at the NAIA Terminal 1.
Members of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) conducted a search of her luggage, where they discovered 7.15 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, concealed inside bags of individually-wrapped chocolate candies. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is Ph48,680,000.00.
As a result of this operation, Marais was promptly arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
“We received information from international intelligence sources that Marais was involved in smuggling illegal drugs from Mexico to Manila,” said Tansingco. “As a result, the BI’s ATG immediately verified her arrival and successfully identified her to allow the BOC to conduct the search,” he added.
Tansingco said that the successful interdiction operation highlights the importance of inter-agency collaboration.
“Through information sharing and data analysis, law enforcement agencies can identify and disrupt criminal activities more effectively,” said Tansingco.
Additional P40 to minimum wage in NCR approved
Minimum wage earners can expect a wage increase next month after the P40.00 increase was approved for private sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to the Department of Labor of Employment (DOLE) this Thursday, the Regional Wage Board of NCR issued Wage Order No. NCR-24 on June 26, 2023 regarding the said increase.
DOLE-NCR Director Sarah Mirasol said the Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved the new wage order that provides a P40 daily wage increase for regional workers.
Because of this, the daily minimum wage rate in the region will reach P610 from the existing P570.
Mirasol said it would be effective on July 16, 2023, after the National Wages and Productivity Commission approves the wage order.
The new wage order covers workers from the agricultural and non-agricultural industries.
According to Mirasol, RTWPB members based their decision to grant wage adjustment on the average inflation rate.
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