German TV Team visit expat in Manila
August 9-22-2009German TV Documents Philippine Immigration Policy
With
“Manila 2009,” film
producer Dr. Manfred Bölk and Lehnert are following $up on
their
2005 exposé “Manila 2005,” which
depicted the plight
of four Germans that had evidently been detained and maltreated by
Philippine immigration
officials. The sequel documents Lehnert’s efforts to help
foreigners in similar situations, while witnesses of his work provide
insightful commentary on the road
ahead for immigration policy here.Lehnert has assisted 58 foreigners in
immigration-related cases based on his specialization in
Philippine immigration law, an expertise
he says too few Filipino lawyers share. Embassies provide a list of
attorneys for their nationals to turn to, but he says most on
the
list are unqualified to defend foreigners in immigration cases. His
semi-operational NGO, the Foreign
Assistance Center, also provides
expats in the country a forum for immigration assistance.
Putting faces to the abuse, the film presents several beneficiaries of Lehnert’s assistance: Robert Fuessl, a German pilot caught on camera in detention at the BI-Bicutan Detention Center; Jonathon Bently-Stevens, an Australian would-be investor in Davao who lost his capital as a result of trumped-up charges; and Henry Assmann, a Canadian detained for six years for allegedly working without the necessary permits. A cross-section of such victimized foreigners reveals a mismatch of old male foreigners and their young Filipina wives or partners, sometimes even prostitutes. The possibility of the latter taking advantage of the former, claim Lehnert, is very real. $BI Commissioner BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, who himself has recently revamped the bureau with foreigner-friendly procedural changes, supports the filmmakers’ bid to infuse European standards into Philippine immigration policy. In particular, Comm. Libanan stressed the need for prosecutors in immigration cases to remain objective, as fair adjudication in such matters would cultivate a more secure, investor-friendly environment. Lehnert also additionally extends his assistance to members of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). The 45-minute documentary “Manila 2009” will be aired later in the year on ARD Television in Germany and on 18 regional stations there. A 25-minute English version will be broadcast on German international news channel DW-TV.
The complete documentation - EXPAT 9-22
August , 2009 by Jahzeel AbihalinG.CruzPutting faces to the abuse, the film presents several beneficiaries of Lehnert’s assistance: Robert Fuessl, a German pilot caught on camera in detention at the BI-Bicutan Detention Center; Jonathon Bently-Stevens, an Australian would-be investor in Davao who lost his capital as a result of trumped-up charges; and Henry Assmann, a Canadian detained for six years for allegedly working without the necessary permits. A cross-section of such victimized foreigners reveals a mismatch of old male foreigners and their young Filipina wives or partners, sometimes even prostitutes. The possibility of the latter taking advantage of the former, claim Lehnert, is very real. $BI Commissioner BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, who himself has recently revamped the bureau with foreigner-friendly procedural changes, supports the filmmakers’ bid to infuse European standards into Philippine immigration policy. In particular, Comm. Libanan stressed the need for prosecutors in immigration cases to remain objective, as fair adjudication in such matters would cultivate a more secure, investor-friendly environment. Lehnert also additionally extends his assistance to members of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). The 45-minute documentary “Manila 2009” will be aired later in the year on ARD Television in Germany and on 18 regional stations there. A 25-minute English version will be broadcast on German international news channel DW-TV.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Philippines Forum for International Readers since 1981
Mai 31-June 13, 2009Bureau of Immigration Reforms Under Libanan: An Update
All
of these reforms so
far have been geared towards the advancement of immigration
law
from outdated principles. The Bureau of Immigration has to evolve so
that it will be more responsive to be needs of the times, says
Immigration Commissioner Marcelino C.Libanan. He therefore seeks replace
the Immigration Act of 1940
with a more current version taking into account the increased variety
of foreign visitors, from fiance'es to journalists to asylum-seekers.
Among those joining efforts to draft the new Immigration Law, which
seeks to infuse European security standards to attract greater foreign
investment, is foreign rights advocate and Ambassador for
Investment and Special Concerns endorse e Engr. Alfred Lehnert.
Lehnert, who had been a victim of extortion himself, attributes a Supreme Court resolution ordering his release from detention to the BI's new legal outlook.
Lehnert, who had been a victim of extortion himself, attributes a Supreme Court resolution ordering his release from detention to the BI's new legal outlook.
The complete documentation - EXPAT Mai 31-June 13, 2009 by Jahzeel AbihalinG.Cruz
Legal Immigration - Investment and Prevention
![]() |
![]() |
Former Expat Detainee / Tells His Ordeal
He
has won more than halfway in the legal
battle, one of the first few cases ever won by a foreigner
complainant. The case: alleged crime for
arbitrary detention against a former Immigration Commissioner.
But Alfred Lehnert, a civil engineer from Hamburg, Germany, wants to
push the case till the very end. Pending before the Sandiganbayan is
Lehnert's case he lodged against former Immigration
Commissioner Andrea Domingo and four other Intelligence
officers from Bureau of Immigration for
arbitrary detention.This after the Office of the Ombudsman upheld the ruling of the Supreme Court that Lehnert was illegally arrested and detained without warrant. The same office also recommended in its resolution that the case be filed at the Sandiganbayan, also known as the Anti Graft court.
For 18 months, since his detention in September, 2002, Lehnert languished in the detention center with 200 other detainees. Finally on Feb. 24 in 2004, the Supreme Court ordered his release from the Bicutan Detention Center. On March 25, 2004, the complainant was finally freed from detention. Lehnert was arrested based on orders by then former BI Commissioner Domingo "to verify and validate" Lehnert's activities in the Philippines as well as his immigration status. Lehnert fought his case before the Philippine courts represented by his attorney until he was finally freed from detention. He said at first he had bright hopes while living in his new homeland, prepared to immerse in the Philippine culture.
"I came to the Philippines for medical reasons on advice with my doctor to live in a tropical country. I was with my ex wife, a Filipina who once lived in Cebu City. I bought tree houses and I was bringing in investors from Europe." he narrated to Expat Newspaper. The sudden turn of events made him lose his es wife and his daughter who fled the country while he was in detention. He also lost his three houses.
In resolution - OMH-V-C-040224-D- issued by the Office of the Ombudsman dated Jan. 29, 2008, it stated that even if is true that he was arrested by virtue of a mission order merely directed the BI agents to conduct verification on the status of the complainant, and it is only when he is found to be violating the country's immigration laws can he be immediately arrested.
The crime of arbitrary detention, as explained in the Office of the Ombudsman resolution, is present when the offender is a public officer or employee, that he or she detains a person and that the detention is without legal grounds.
In the resolution, it also agreed with the Supreme Court that the issuance of warrants of arrest by the former BI commissioner solely for the purpose of investigation and before a final order of deportation is issued is contrary to the "right of a person to due process."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Battle Rages On
"I hope it will be
resolved soon," his
tone optimistic, stressing that he will fight this to the end. The case
stemmed from an alleged mission order ordered by Domingo against him. The
German national
was following up some papers at the Immigration Office in Mandaue City
in Cebu when he was arrested by four Intelligence officers to verify
his status and activities in the Philippines. The complainant then
filed a petition for Habeas Corpus at the Regional Trial Court of
Mandaue City. Also, a deportation case was filed against Lehnert for "Undesirability
and Violation of Section 37 (a) (7) of the Philippine Immigration Act
of 1940", as amended over an alleged "sexual
case." The issue dragged on with suits and counter suits
between Lehnert and the Immigration Office.
It is perhaps the first time a foreigner filed a case against a former government official. And Lehnert is optimistic the battle may be over soon.
Now, Lehnert and many other agencies, was invited by the House Committee on justice of the House of Representatives to present his views on the pending new immigration bill otherwise known as House Bill no, 1850 or the Immigration Act of 2006 authored by former Rep. And now Immigration Commissioner Marcelo Libanan.The bill was passed on third reading at the lower house and is awaiting deliberations at the senate.In an interview with Lehnert in two separate occasions,Lehnert is pushing the case till the very end, saying that he wants to give justice to those foreigners who are still detained at the BI Detention Center in Bicutan, Taguig City either for humanitarian grounds or simple evaluation of the law. "The highlight of this case is Anti Graft court is, it is the first of that crime filed by a foreigner against a former government official, "he told Expat Newspaper.
Expat tried to reach former Commissioner Domingo for comments but the listed telephone numbers just kept on ringing.
Settling here for good
Lehnert
also gained support
from former Sen.Ramon Magsaysay,
Cebu Cardinal Vidal,
among others. His experience was also shown in German Documentary
exposing the plight of foreign detainees in the Philippines a few years
ago. After what he had gone through, he is settling in the Philippines
for good. He has remarried a Filipina, a graduate
of the Philippine National Academy and who was recently awarded a
scholarship to the Netherlands. His wedding sponsors
included Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes and former German Ambassador
Axel Weishaupt.
Lehnert also plans to put up the first of fices for
foreigner`s
assistance.
The wedding, which took place in May last year, was a testament that he
likes to rebuild his life in the Philippines and would even advise
investors to put their investments in the Philippines.
by Agnes M. Abrau






