French wanted for drugs nabbed at Clark race track
CLARK— A French national was arrested on Friday morning for being wanted in his homeland for crimes relating to dr ugs.
Julien Barbier, 39, was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Fugitive Search Unit at the Clark International Speedway.
The BI officers were assisted by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3, Angeles District Field Unit (CIDG RFU3, CFU), Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines - Military Intelligence Group 41 (ISAFP MIG41) and the National Capital Region Police Office - Regional Special Operations Group.
BI FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo said Barbier was arrested following official communication received from French authorities informing the BI that Barbier is wanted in France.
Raquepo revealed that Barbier is being monitored by the Interpol since 2018 reportedly for unlawful transport, retention, offer, sale, acquisition or use of drugs under Art 222-37 of the French Penal Code.
A Warrant of Arrest was likewise issued against him by the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris last August 2017, while a European Warrant of Arrest was also issued by the same court in September 2017.
Raquepo added that they received information on Barbier’s links to an illegal bank fraud syndicate that operated in Pampanga and Cebu.
“Upon receipt of information about his crimes, the Commissioner immediately issued a Mission Order to effect his arrest,” said Raquepo.
Hispresenceinthe country is a risk to public safety and security,” he added.
Barbier is temporarily in the physical custody of CIDG CFU Angeles pending the results of his RT PCR testing.
Raquepo bared that Barbier offered the arresting agents money for him to be released.
He, along with two Filipino cohorts, offered P1.5M in exchange for his liberty,” shared Raquepo. Weimmediately informed the Commissioner about this, and he instructed us to coordinate with the CIDG to be able to arrest the two others for crime,” he added.
Raquepo said that following their coordination with the CIDG, detectives of the City Intelligence Unit – Angeles City Police Office, CIDG Angeles City Field Unit, and CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 conducted an entrapment operation against the two Filipino cohorts for corruption of public official.
“We thank our fellow law enforcers for assisting us in arresting these corrupt men. A certain Aaron Bolus and a Joseph Gonzales were arrested by authorities yesterday during the operations for Corruption of Public Official,” said Raquepo.
A case for Violation of Article 212 of the RPC is being prepared for filing against the arrested suspects, he added.
Meanwhile BI Commissioner Jaime Morente lauded the efforts of the FSU in the arrest of Barbier, and for coordinating the arrest of his cohor t s.
“We are relentless in our drive to eliminate corruption.
CLARK FREEPORT-- Clark Development Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Gaerlan has encouraged regional policemen to prepare for the future by pursuing their studies.
"Make yourself qualified and prepare yourself for bigger responsibilities because you will never know what you will face in the future,” Gaerlan said in his speech delivered to the officers and men of the Police Regional Office in Central Luzon (PRO 3) in Camp Olivas when he was invited as guest of honor during their recent flag raising ceremonies.
Gaerlan encouraged the police personnel to continue pursuing further studies for their professional development as he cited his journey from being a police officer to becoming a corporate executive.
“When I was with the Philippine National Police, I prepared myself not only with the duties and responsibilities of being a police officer.
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I decided upon myself to be qualified in other fields. In 2001, I enrolled at the Asian Institute of Management. I want to understand the language of the business sector so that after years in life of service with the government, whatever they put upon us or wherever life may take us, we are ready and qualified,” Gaerlan shared.
Gaerlan added that his post-graduate studies and experiences in leadership, management, command, and people interaction have equipped and prepared him to take on the challenge of being appointed as the top executive of a state-owned firm.
“I did not know so many years ago that I would be appointed as the President and CEO of CDC, but I am glad I have prepared for it years ago,” he said.
Gaerlan, who finished as Summa Cum Laude and Valedictorian at PMA Class 1985 with the highest grade of 96.126 percent, also became President and CEO of Prime Lift and Load Industries.
The CDC top honcho hopes to “inspire all police officers to pursue their career not only as police officers but also as community leaders, and members of the business sect or.”
Gaerlan also reminded them to maintain their stance and decorum in serving and protecting the general public.
“Make yourself competent, qualified, and maintain the dignity of a police officer. Upheave your outlook in life, upheave the directions of your life so nobody will look down on you and say pulis lang yan,” he said.
Meanwhile, CDC extended its support to the frontline officers of the PRO 3 by donating essential and protective materials.
The donations were personally presented by Gaerlan to PRO 3 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Valeriano De Leon. These include 52 boxes of medicines, 40 boxes of facemasks, 400 pieces of face shields, and collapsible tents intended to ensure the safety of all PRO 3 frontline personnel.
With Gaerlan at the helm, the state-run corporation aims to achieve its vision for Clark by integrating “reset, rebound, recover” directions and introducing new technology to its systems and procedures geared to provide an improved investment climate in this freeport.