News Roundup 15 September 2024
Sep 15, 2024 • 4 min Read
PNP set to file a criminal complaint vs. persons who harbored Quiboloy | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A complaint of obstruction of justice will be filed against individuals suspected of harboring captured alleged rapist Apollo Quiboloy, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said on Sunday they launched an investigation to hold accountable those persons who aided the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder.
“We will not tolerate any form of obstruction of justice. Our investigation aims to identify those who knowingly provided refuge to Quiboloy, and we will ensure they face appropriate legal consequences,” Marbil said in a statement.
“Obstruction of justice is a serious offense, and those who aided in shielding Quiboloy from law enforcement will be charged accordingly. The law is clear — no one is above it, and those who helped Quiboloy will be held accountable,” he added.
Before that, he had been in hiding for almost 6 months since the warrant of arrest against him was issued on April 3.
Marbil said Quiboloy could not have evaded arrest for a long time without the help of his close associates and legal representatives, whom he said helped the sect leader by “misleading authorities regarding his whereabouts.”
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will facilitate the case build-up and gather pieces of evidence relevant to the case.
Full Story at: PNP to file a criminal complaint vs. persons who harbored Quiboloy (inquirer.net)
PNP manhunt on for Harry Roque | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has now joined the manhunt for former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who was issued an arrest order after being cited for contempt by the House of Representatives on Sept. 12 for refusing to submit subpoenaed documents related to his alleged involvement with illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
In a message to the Inquirer, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed that the National Capital Regional Police Office would now help apprehend Roque “as the [arrest] order is considered served even if Roque’s staff refused to receive it.”
On Friday, the House sergeant at arms tried to serve the arrest order issued by the House quad committee in Roque’s law firm at 1105 Antel Corporation Centre, 121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.
However, Roque was not in his office and the staff refused to receive the arrest order. Velasco said both the House and the PNP do not know Roque’s current whereabouts.
Full Story at: PNP manhunt on for Harry Roque (inquirer.net)
AI is ‘accelerating the climate crisis,’ expert warns | PHILSTAR.COM – MONTREAL, Canada — If you care about the environment, think twice about using AI.
Generative artificial intelligence uses 30 times more energy than a traditional search engine, warns researcher Sasha Luccioni, on a mission to raise awareness about the environmental impact of the hot new technology.
Recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the world of AI by the American magazine Time in 2024, the Canadian computer scientist of Russian origin has sought for several years to quantify the emissions of programs like ChatGPT or Midjourney.
“I find it particularly disappointing that generative AI is used to search the Internet,” laments the researcher, who spoke with AFP on the sidelines of the ALL IN artificial intelligence conference, in Montreal.
The language models on which the programs are based require enormous computing capacities to train on billions of data points, necessitating powerful servers.
Then there’s the energy used to respond to each individual user’s requests.
Instead of simply extracting information, “like a search engine would do to find the capital of a country, for example,” AI programs “generate new information,” making the whole thing “much more energy-intensive,” she explains.
According to the International Energy Agency, the combined AI and the cryptocurrency sectors consumed nearly 460 terawatt hours of electricity in 2022 — two percent of total global production.
Full Story at: AI is ‘accelerating the climate crisis,’ expert warns | Philstar.com
Hontiveros slams KOJC founder’s request for hospital arrest | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros slammed Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s request for hospital detention, saying there should be no special treatment for an accused sex offender.
Hontiveros called Quiboloy “entitled” for thinking that he would be allowed by the court to be detained at a Davao City hospital while his serious cases for qualified human trafficking and child abuse are being heard in Pasig and Quezon City regional trial courts.
“He faces serious crimes like human trafficking, rape and child abuse. There should be no special treatment. He is so self-entitled. His request for hospital arrest in Davao is uncalled for,” Hontiveros said.
“Also, why in Davao? Because he has an influential friend there?” the senator added, without elaborating.
Hontiveros said Quiboloy has no right as a detainee to dictate to the court his place of custody. He is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
“All accused should be treated equally, no matter their status and connections,” Hontiveros said.
“He is no longer in his ‘King Dome.’ He should stop pretending to be God,” she added.
Story at: Hontiveros slams KOJC founder’s request for hospital arrest | Philstar.com
